ฉันรักแปลIn this thesis I examine the transitions to democracy found in the postcommunist regimes of Eurasia and compare among them levels of organized crime. I find that the regime type classified as competitive authoritarian bears the highest levels of organized crime. This relationship is explained by a number of weak state institutions, such as problematic economic liberalization, low rule of law, and weak civil society. The political environment of competitive authoritarianism provides the ideal conditions for criminal organizations to set up shop and flourish. Additionally, I show that as states exit competitive authoritarianism, moving either toward liberal democracy or toward closed authoritarianism, the levels of organized crime decrease.