The Mafia in Brief

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In conclusion, we shall state that while traditional Sicilian “Mafia” is ultimately the source of modern and contemporary organizations, which are identified by the same name, nevertheless, there exist radical differences in purpose between them. The original “Mafia” was created in response to the historical circumstances which acted upon the character and temperament of the Sicilians, who found themselves constantly engaged in a struggle for independence. They were determined to triumph at all costs, and in their determination, they adopted a strict disciplinary code that allowed no compromise. What the new “Mafia” has acquired from the old is simply the code of discipline that the latter had devised, which is, so to speak, an airtight code within modern crime organizations that is feasible to operate—had devised an airtight code within modern crime organizations that is feasible to operate, but, to be sure, the similarity ends here.

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