PennTags /bkai/Mafia+articles

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Enforcers, entrepreneurs, and survivors: how the mafia has adapted to change.

"Enforcers, entrepreneurs, and survivors: how the mafia has adapted to change." The British journal of sociology [0007-1315] 36.1 (1985). 34-57.

The purpose of this article is to explain the ways and reasons behind changes in mafia organizations. In addition to this, it explains the unspoken rules that encompass everyone within these mafias. The author argues that the continuity of the mafia can be attributed to economic reasons as well a code of honor that proves to be the basis of the relationships within the group.

The author, Raimondo Calanzaro, explains that this code of honor is something whose roots are from the Mediterranean culture. In Sicilian culture, through one’s actions, a man can gain honor and respect of their peers. Through this, a man who is not born of high status can gain and achieve the respect of others. The Mafiosi were ones that held power, and used this when addressing political and economic issues. The Mafioso must have a reputation among his peers as a man of honor; someone, who in the past has shown to be highly skilled in violence. This reputation allows them to no longer participate in violence, and can rely on others to follow their orders.

Calanzaro states that the role Mafias play in society has changed with the evolution of society. Blending traditional and contemporary methods of the mafia, in order to contain power, the Mafioso adapts to market structure in order to maintain wealth. This article helps to explain the roles and interactions of the movie, The Godfather. Vito Corleone is the head of the family, also known as the Mafioso. Throughout the film, we see that Vito does not participate in any acts of violence even though it is apparent that he is making the decisions. In addition to this, the roles of the other characters become defined. Vito’s son’s and other men participate in much of the violence in order to prove their worth and gain respect to achieve the status of Mafioso.

In addition to this, Michael Corleone displays the attributes of being an entrepreneur. Seeing the growth in Las Vegas he decided to change the family’s business and move to Casinos and gambling. Analyzing the current state of the market while keeping the overall structure of the mafia intact is something that Michael is able to display

belongs to The Godfather (1972): Annotated Bibliography project
tagged Godfather Mafia articles by bkai ...and 1 other person ...on 07-APR-06

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Mafia: The Prototypical Alien Conspiracy

Smith Jr., Dwight C. "Mafia: The Prototypical Alien Conspiracy." Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science: Vol. 423, Crime and Justice in America: 1776-1976, p. 75-88.

    The article, “Mafia: The Prototypical Alien Conspiracy,” written by Dwight C. Smith Jr. discusses the role that the “Mafia” has played in American society, and the ways in which America has tried to deal with this issue. The term “Mafia” became popularized before the 19^th century, when people began to develop conspiracy theories against Sicilians. Stemming from the Hennessey murder case in New Orleans, a stigma was developed against the Sicilian population of the town. Although there was no real proof of mob ties, these Mafia rumors lived on which led to support and implementation of immigration laws.
    During the post World War II era, the “Mafia” legend was revived. Beginning with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, rumors persisted about the Mafia and immigrants. These rumors reached its pinnacle when the President’s Crime Commission agreed with the concept of a Mafia conspiracy. Smith Jr. writes that the reason behind the creation of this “Mafia” myth is to explain the failure of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics to eliminate the existence of narcotics in America. By using the “Mafia” as a scapegoat for their failures, the Bureau popularized this idea. Whether or not it actually existed is debatable, but it led to changes in society.

    From the popularization of the “Mafia,” those in entertainment began to capitalize on it by selling it as a product to the public. Mario Puzo wrote the book, The Godfather, which focused on the world that America was so worried about.
    This article gives background into the reasoning behind the making of the movie, The Godfather, as well as providing explanation of the content of the movie. The movie is a period film, set post World War II, which as the article has shown was the era in which the “Mafia” conspiracy was being revived. In the movie, the reason that the five families began to fight was due to introduction of narcotics. At this time, drugs were a big problem in America, thus showing parallels between the period of the movie and societal problems. Also, Paramount capitalized on the publicity that the “Mafia” genre was receiving by producing Mario Puzo’s book. This led to The Godfather becoming one of the most successful movies of all time.

belongs to The Godfather (1972): Annotated Bibliography project
tagged Godfather Italian Mafia articles by bkai ...and 1 other person ...on 07-APR-06