SOCIOLOGY OF MAFIA
Instructional goals
Provide all the cognitive elements, both from a historical and sociological perspective, to understand the mafia phenomenon in its various forms of expression, thus also providing the cognitive basis to better contextualize the criminal provisions of anti-mafia legislation.
Intended learning outcomes
Acquire targeted interpretation and evaluation tools to expand one's cultural, legal and, prospectively, professional know-how.
Course Contents
Definition of the course topic: the constituent elements of the genome of each type of mafia, the mafia phenomenon is declined in the plural, hence “from mafia to mafias”. The evolutionary capacity of mafias in the major economic and political changes that have characterized the life of the country.
Issues of method: the narrative about mafias, the narrative of mafias. Identification of sources: the words of the “mafiosi” as a primary source of knowledge. Origin and danger of the word in the reconstruction of the criminal power wielded by mafia organizations. The duplicity of the word, the deceptive seduction of its fascination not only as a way of exercising power, but also as the foundation of its very accumulation. Study and analysis of mafia language and related symbolic codes as a tool for understanding the mafia phenomenon.
Comparing criminal models in the historical mafias: Cosa Nostra, ‘Ndrangheta and Camorra.
The structure of mafia-type associations: membership, internal organization, territorial articulations between the need for decentralization and the need for centralization. The evolution of the structural model in the various mafia associations. The identity profile of the association: “mafia family” and “blood family”.
The governance of the mafia organizations: typology of the mafia leadership, existence and structure of the top bodies, modality of exercising command, relations between the executive body and territorial articulations. Evolution of the forms of government: from the (apparently) democratic-elective models to the customized cooptation systems of the ‘leadership’. The art of command: case histories on the ways of exercising power within mafia organizations.
The relational system of mafia organizations: relations with parts of civil society, business, politics, institutions, the liberal professions. Evolution and comparisons of the different relational models.
The expansion of mafia organizations and the penetration of their interests in markets outside their territories of origin. Comparing models: occasional investments, organized presences, constitution of structures and stabilized articulations in the North of the Country, in the states of the European Union and overseas. The case of the ‘Ndrangheta: exportation from the territory of origin of structure, mafia method and relational system.
Traditional mafia organizations and “new mafias”: the foreign mafias, the delocalization of the traditional mafias, the so-called “small mafias”. The Rome case.
The communication of mafias: mass disinformation from the “cultural explanation” of the origins to the denialist and reductionist theories on structures, activities, and the relational system.
Evolution of mafia-type associations towards new integrated criminal systems and expansion of the use of the mafia method in criminal sectors of other origins, from common crime to economic crime.
Reference Books
Selected parts of:
E. Ciconte, Criminal History, Rubettino.
G. Pignatone - M. Prestipino, Criminal Models, Laterza editore.
Reading:
I. Meli, Casamonica, Melampo.
Teaching Methods
Frontal teaching with examination of practical cases and student participation.
Assessment Method
Written test and oral discussion.
Thesis assignment criteria
Thematic discussion with the lecturer on the student's proposal.
Week 1
Definition of the course topic: the constituent elements of the genome of each type of mafia (structure, mafia method, relational capacity, ability to generate disinformation). From mafia to mafias. The ability of mafias to adapt to the new needs that have matured during and following the major economic and political changes that have characterized the life of the country.
Issues of method: the narrative about mafias, the narrative of mafias. Identification of sources: the words of the “mafiosi” as a primary source of knowledge. Origin and danger of words in the reconstruction of the criminal power wielded by mafia organizations. The duplicity of the word, the deceptive seduction of its fascination not only as a way of exercising power, but also as the foundation of its very accumulation. Study and analysis of mafia language and related symbolic codes as a tool for understanding the mafia phenomenon.
Week 2
The presence of mafias in our country: when how and why they originated. Markets as the point of emergence of mafias, the initial rooting in southern regions.
Week 3
The relevance of the mafia presence on the history of the country after the constitution of the unitary State: 1 February 1893, the murder of Emanuele Notarbartolo, the first “bourgeois” hero at the service of the State.
Agricultural and industrial markets: the mafias between the two wars and in post-war reconstruction. The mafias take sides. Land occupation and agrarian reform: Portella delle Ginestre.
Cosa Nostra in Palermo in the 1960s and 1970s: the “sack” of Palermo and Vito Ciancimino, drug trafficking and heroin refineries. The “Corleonesi” began to emerge.
Week 4
The 1980s: Mafia wars, the “Corleonesi” in power. Riina and Provenzano “different brothers” in business and in relations with other powers, political and economic. The season of the massacres: causes and effects even within the mafia organization.
Week 5
The “great depression” post massacres, Provenzano takes Cosa Nostra by the hand with the strategy of “submergence”. The “governance” of Cosa Nostra: forms of government before and after the massacres. The governance of the organization in the new millennium.
Week 6
The reaction of the State: the collaborators of justice, the capture of the major fugitives, the convictions of leaders and associates, the seizure and confiscation of their assets. The unveiling of “complicity”: “moles” and politicians.
The end of a season. Towards a new phase?
Week 7
The ‘Ndrangheta: from the origins to the first major trials against “the association” between the two wars, the “Great Criminal”. The revolt of Reggio Calabria and relations with subversion and freemasonry. The Aspromonte and the kidnappings.
Week 8
The ‘Ndrangheta and the great public works: the Gioia Tauro Port, the 5th Steel Centre and the construction of the Salerno - Reggio Calabria Highway. The conquest of monopoly positions on the cocaine market. Always new riches to invest.
Week 9
The expansionist model of the ‘Ndrangheta: from Reggio Calabria to Toronto. The ‘Ndrangheta relocates itself: structures, mafia method, relationships, and complicity. The “Crime - Infinito” trial between 2010 and 2016. The evolution of the model: the “locale” of Rome.
Week 10
The Camorra and its various groups: from its origins to Raffaele Cutolo's NCO. The New Family of Pasquele Galasso and Carmine Alfieri. The “Casalesi” of Casal di Principe. Wars and secessions. Business and complicity: “reconstruction”, the “Terra dei fuochi” (Land of pyres), drug trafficking, investments outside the territory of origin.
Week 11
Foreign and delocalized mafias. Albanians, Nigerians, Chinese and Romanians: analysis and case studies.
Week 12
The so-called “small mafias” and the mutation of criminal models: the contagion of the mafia method. The Rome case: from Ostia to the Casamonica. Mafia method and the middle world.