The interesting thing about most conspiracy theories is that they often involve an assumption of a supreme level of competence and organization together with the assumption of a level of incompetence that allows the conspiracy theorist to "figure it out".

Conspiracy theorists often seem to be uneducated but suffer from the illusory superiority effect. This is supported by evidence that many people who believe in conspiracy theories, believe in multiple conspiracies, even when one conspiracy contradicts the other.

James O'Neill

Interesting comment.

So by what criterion do you distinguish governments that are "essentially a criminal enterprise" from those that are not?

'So by what criterion do you distinguish governments that are "essentially a criminal enterprise" from those that are not?'
That's the trick you can't. From Albert Einstein's theory, for every force there is an equal and opposite force. This is a basic theory of the physical world. It relates to everything, nothing is exempt. Were ever there are people(s) who want more at there acceptable cost, there will be corruption. As a famous gangster once said, you can't have organised crime without law and order (aside: which is why he owned so many judges in the rawing twenties). Human nature is the same from the slums to heights. What you see at the street level is what you get at the heights. The heights are smarter about it. That's all (university degrees).
Don't be a sheeple, it maybe you the wolves will use as food.

@JKJ Interesting point. As you see from my comment, I was quoting the Council of Europe who formed that view on a number of bases including trafficking in human body parts and its role in drug distribution. I suppose one could mount an argument that in respect of all governments it is only a matter of degree. The squeaky clean would be a short list.

I should note in the light of some of the above responses that Gary Webb exposed the CIA crack cocaine link in a series of articles for the San Jose Mercury. He was widely ridiculed at the time. It leads to his alleged suicide (2 gunshot wounds to the head). A report by the CIA's own Inspector General ultimately confirmed what Webb had written. The New York Times has belatedly semi-apologised for its earlier treatment of Webb in the context of a review of a film made based on Webb's book.

Here, as elsewhere, such discussions invariably attract comments from the terminally stupid that what is being propounded is a "conspiracy theory". Ironically, the term was developed as a pejorative by the CIA itself, using its friendly media outlets (Operation Mockingbird) because the CIA was alarmed at the coverage being received from those who argue that the CIA was the prime mover in the Kennedy assassination.

Professor Lance de Haven Smith has written a fascinating study on conspiracy theory in America. It probably won't appeal to those commenters on this site who prefer the comfort of their ignorance to the reality of the world we live in.

Thanks to all those folks who saw fit to respond. Clearly as always some posters are more informed and articulate than others. I am always fascinated by those who have an opinion - however ill-informed and clumsily proffered - and yet still aren't afraid to use it, especially under cover of a convenient pseudonym. You know who you are (even if I don't), although I suspect it would take an enforced overdose of sodium pentothal avec a polygraph to extract any truthful admission to that effect, at least in any public forum. As I have opined before - and do so again for the record - when the immovable object of ignorance meets the irresistible object of arrogance, sometimes it is best to just get out of the way. Happy trails to all. And keep those cards and letters rolling right in.