Example Of Critical Thinking On Social Organisation

The chapter on Social Organisation explores the relationships within the drug world from both a human level and a financial one. Despite what the media often leads us to believe, it seems that the drug culture is led by many small dealing groups, rather than one or two large ones.
The Social Organisation of Drug World Relationships makes very interesting reading. It seems that the people at the top of the drugs trade, i.e. either an individual or a partnership, are the ones who potentially make a great deal of money. Ironically, it is the people doing the dangerous task of actually selling the drugs that make the least money from it.
Connections are a large part of the Drug World. Even if not directly in debt to each other, drug dealers can work together via a network of connections in order to create a culture which is beneficial to them all. Often a smuggler will try to sell his lot and, if he fails, he will hand it over to a drug dealer who knows the business of dealing.
Social Organisation and Market Structure appears to require more research if I were to draw solid conclusions. However, the chapter provides an idea of what sociologists have revealed so far. It seems that the drug world, like other illegal trades, is monopolised by many smaller enterprises, rather than fewer large ones. This makes the market a competitive one with rivalry between the dealing groups.
This chapter really interested me. In particular, it made me think about why people get involved with the drug world originally. It seems that many of the people lower down in the hierarchy are on drugs themselves and are dealing in order to feed their own habits.

Inciardi, J & McElrath, K. (2009). The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. New York: Oxford University Press.