Soviet Union was taken over by criminal syndicates. People are more loyal to the gangs than they are to the police because the police didn't represent them.
Not totally. You really should visit Russia before making blanket statements like that. Yes, I saw gangsters in Russia but it's not like you can't sidestep them unless you are trying to engage in some large building project. I did go to a gangster owned restaurant which was quite nice but I got a distinct feel it was obviously gang controlled. Lots of expensive SUVs outside in the parking lot with some tough looking guys using the saunas off to one side. A local judge invited me there and we had a lovely dinner.
Okay? And you can do lots of stuff here in the states without running into coppers or walking into one of those diners where there's always a couple police eating. Controlled doesn't mean they're omnipresent.
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