Organized crime and systemic corruption: comparative approaches and explanatory models in the european context

The paper analyzes the interaction between organized crime and systemic corruption in Europe, highlighting the mutual influence of these two phenomena on public institutions and the rule of law. Organized crime encompasses structured criminal groups driven by profit and political influence through illegal practices, while systemic corruption involves the widespread infiltration of corruption into political and administrative mechanisms. Studying this relationship is essential for understanding how state institutions become vulnerable, allowing criminal groups to influence political and economic decisions.The paper adopts a comparative and multidimensional approach, exploring the historical, institutional, and cultural factors that differentiate European states in managing this issue. In this context, the following research questions are proposed: RQ1: What are the main mechanisms through which organized crime and systemic corruption reinforce each other in Europe? RQ2: How do manifestations of organized crime and systemic corruption differ between Eastern and Western Europe? RQ3: Which explanatory models (economic, institutional, cultural) best reflect the relationship between crime and corruption? RQ4: In what ways do these phenomena affect the legitimacy and efficiency of European institutions? RQ5: What European strategies and policies are most effective in simultaneously combating organized crime and systemic corruption? In conclusion, the research provides an integrated perspective on the phenomenon, contributing to the formulation of tailored and effective solutions for strengthening the rule of law and restoring citizens’ trust in institutions.