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> I hope you don’t seriously think that there is a mafia entity that is going around chasing people who casually claim to be part of it. Absolutely, that is th

> I hope you don’t seriously think that there is a mafia entity that is going around chasing people who casually claim to be part of it. Absolutely, that is the case. > Except for the higher-ups, the mafia is just a loose social network of people who don't mind using intimidation for personal gain. You are not right. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Ndrangheta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Ndrangheta - tightly organized, hierarchical organization that controls about 3% of Italy's GDP and ruthlessly enforces its dominion with brutal turf wars.

Udik 6y ago
Look, this is from an analysis document presented at the Italian parliament: "The criminal density of Calabria [region where the 'ndrangheta comes from], when comparing the numbers of official affiliates to the population, is of 27%. [...] The percentage is worrisome not only because more than 1/4 of the population is involved, in different ways, in criminal activities; but also because around these groups always gravitate thousands of "white collar workers", many of whom beyond suspicion." [1] So 27% of the population is involved directly, even more are involved in a supporting/ collateral role. Do you really think that they all know who is who and that they're all enrolled in a precise hierarchical structure? Do you think that in this kind of environment to threaten someone you need a certificate? You might not be part of one of the families (because the 'ndrangheta is mostly families), but you might be good friend of someone who is, you might have done some job for them and know them casually. With those percentages, almost everyone who is local can probably claim to have some connection with someone who you'd not want to anger. I remember this funny little anecdote by some anti-mafia investigator in Italy (though he was concerned with Camorra, the Neapolitan version of it): "When some prominent local mafiosi arrive in Naples with the ferry boat, before disembarking they remove their golden Rolex watches from their wrists, because they know that otherwise they'll be robbed". This is the climate. [1] https://www.parlamento.it/parlam/bicam/14/Antimafia/documenti/relazann2003II.pdf https://www.parlamento.it/parlam/bicam/14/Antimafia/document.... (page 4)

Udik 6y ago

Look, this is from an analysis document presented at the Italian parliament: "The criminal density of Calabria [region where the 'ndrangheta comes from], when comparing the numbers of official affiliates to the population, is of 27%. [...] The percentage is worrisome not only because more than 1/4 of the population is involved, in different ways, in criminal activities; but also because around these groups always gravitate thousands of "white collar workers", many of whom beyond suspicion." [1] So 27% of the population is involved directly, even more are involved in a supporting/ collateral role. Do you really think that they all know who is who and that they're all enrolled in a precise hierarchical structure? Do you think that in this kind of environment to threaten someone you need a certificate? You might not be part of one of the families (because the 'ndrangheta is mostly families), but you might be good friend of someone who is, you might have done some job for them and know them casually. With those percentages, almost everyone who is local can probably claim to have some connection with someone who you'd not want to anger. I remember this funny little anecdote by some anti-mafia investigator in Italy (though he was concerned with Camorra, the Neapolitan version of it): "When some prominent local mafiosi arrive in Naples with the ferry boat, before disembarking they remove their golden Rolex watches from their wrists, because they know that otherwise they'll be robbed". This is the climate. [1] https://www.parlamento.it/parlam/bicam/14/Antimafia/documenti/relazann2003II.pdf https://www.parlamento.it/parlam/bicam/14/Antimafia/document.... (page 4)