History of Organized Crime in the U.S. Assess organized crime’s ability to continue flourishing through the application of sociological and criminological theory; Interpret the historical and socio-political patterns of organized crime in the United States; Separate traits and characteristics of the two main Italian Mafia groups, that is, the well-known Cosa Nostra and the newer Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta; or Scrutinize major organized crime statutes, such as the Harrison Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and Prohibition.