The transnational character of Russian organized crime, when coupled with its high degree of sophistication and ruthlessness, has attracted the world's attention and concern to what has become known as a global "Russian Mafia." Along with this concern, however, has come a fair amount of misunderstanding and stereotyping with respect to Russian organized crime groups.

Organized crime is corroding democratic institutions and processes and compromising the legitimacy of political life in both established and emerging democracies. The effects of illegal networks over political processes are multiple and range from the illicit financing of political campaigns to the formation of new legally established political parties; and from voter intimidation to collusion with emerging or established political movements and figures.