SOCIOLOGY OF MAFIA

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.

Course to be attended in the fourth year. (1st semester)

Acquire targeted interpretation and evaluation tools to expand one's cultural, legal and, prospectively, professional know-how.

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, 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 structure, 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.

E. Ciconte, Criminal History, Rubettino. (with the exception of the chapter on religion) G. Pignatone - M. Prestipino, Criminal Models, Laterza editore. (with the exception of the third part) Reading: I. Meli, Casamonica, Melampo.

Frontal teaching with examination of practical cases and student participation.

Oral discussion.

Thematic discussion with the lecturer on the student's proposal.