[Dr_tldr]

Yes, when I see NKVD/KGB/FSB officers in full uniform, I think of nothing but good deeds and altruism.

..the criminal underbelly of a society is usually a small-scale reaction to the crimes officially sanctioned by the state.

[comrh]

That think that's giving too much credit to the criminal, organized crime all seems to come down to greed.

[guard-of-terra]

Organized crime all comes down to grey zones.

Areas where regular business forced not to go: prostitution, drugs, arms trade, shark loans.

There are perhaps places where all the economy is one large grey zone, but other than that, regular business (which does indeed come down to greed) out-competes organized crime.

[isolate]

> crimes officially sanctioned by the state.

Isn't this an oxymoron?