Gang warfare

Gang war
Mob violence
Gang violence

Nature

A gang is, by definition, a conflict group at war with other groups or with the forces of organized society. It may originally have formed spontaneously, but it is integrated through conflict. Boy-groups or gangs in many cities are an important factor in juvenile delinquency, in the beginnings of criminal careers, in organized crime, and in political corruption.

Background

Gang warfare emerged as a significant global concern in the early 20th century, initially recognized through escalating urban violence in cities like Chicago and New York. Its importance grew as transnational criminal networks expanded, drawing international attention in the late 20th century. Researchers and policymakers increasingly understood gang warfare as a complex, cross-border phenomenon, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime documenting its impact on public safety and social stability worldwide (https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/organized-crime/index.html).

Incidence

In the UK in 1988, 3% of male murders and 1% of female murders were attributed to gang warfare. During 3 months in 1991, 270 gang members in Los Angeles were killed.

Claim

Gang warfare is a devastating crisis that tears apart communities, destroys lives, and perpetuates cycles of fear and violence. Ignoring this issue allows crime, poverty, and hopelessness to thrive. We cannot stand by while families suffer and neighborhoods become war zones. Addressing gang warfare is not optional—it is a moral and social imperative that demands urgent action from leaders, law enforcement, and society as a whole. The future depends on it.

Counter-claim

The result of collective gang behaviour is the development of tradition, unreflective internal structure, esprit de corps, solidarity, morale, group awareness, and attachment to a local territory.