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More About This Textbook
Overview
In a society where trust is in short supply and democracy weak, the Mafia sells protection, a guarantee of safe conduct for parties to commercial transactions. Drawing on the confessions of eight Mafiosi, Diego Gambetta develops an elegant analysis of the economic and political role of the Sicilian Mafia.
Editorial Reviews
Journal of Economic Literature
Diego Gambetta's analysis of the Sicilian Mafia is likely to become a classic. It uses a dazzling combination of economic theory and sociological insight to make sense of a significant but mysterious social institution.
— Robert Sugden
European Sociological Review
The Sicialian Mafia goes far beyond the promise of the title. It represents an important and arguably enduring contribution to both sociological and economic theory. Gambetta 's book shows the fruitfulness of a rigorous economic analysis applied with consistency and it is, in spite of the ominous subject, fun to read. It sheds new light on the birth and evolution of the mafia. Furthermore, the twofold parallel between the mafia, an economic industry, and the state, the political community par excellence, can bring us to a more accurate understanding of the nature of the markets for unusual commodities like protection, and it contributes, indirectly, to the political theory of the emergence of protection agencies.
— Alberto Vannucci
British Journal of Sociology
A remarkable theoretical achievement. Starting from what is apparently a most unpromising premise, that the workings of the Mafia can be understood within a rational choice framework, Gambetta repeatedly surprises us with his theoretical ingenuity...In a brief review, one cannot do justice to the complexity of the arguments in a book likeGambetta's. Let it suffice to say I could not put it down and I estimate it will become a classic in the burgeoning literature upon the rational choice approach to sociological analysis.
— Peter Abell
Journal of Economics
This is a fascinating book. It provides a wealth of information about an organization which, despite its repellent nature, understandably continues to intrigue many people. And the narrative, based, as much of it is, on the testimony of various ex mafiosi who have turned state's evidence, possesses a compelling immediacy. As a work of history, it is first-rate.
— Larry J. Sechrest
Modern Italy
Gambetta's study is, quite simply, brilliant. At once thoughtful and provocative, he argues that the mafioso deals not in violence, but in protection...Witty and well-argued, compelling but not didactic, this is precisely what a scholarly work should be.
British Journal of Criminology
A carefully argued and well written interpretation of the Sicilian Mafia which should be required reading for every student of criminology.
— David Nelken
American Journal of Sociology
[Gambetta] has done an outstanding job of gathering and analyzing the data that were available...A tremendous achievement.
— Peter Kollock
Journal of Economic Literature
Diego Gambetta's analysis of the Sicilian Mafia is likely to become a classic. It uses a dazzling combination of economic theory and sociological insight to make sense of a significant but mysterious social institution.— Robert Sugden
European Sociological Review
The Sicialian Mafia goes far beyond the promise of the title. It represents an important and arguably enduring contribution to both sociological and economic theory. Gambetta 's book shows the fruitfulness of a rigorous economic analysis applied with consistency and it is, in spite of the ominous subject, fun to read. It sheds new light on the birth and evolution of the mafia. Furthermore, the twofold parallel between the mafia, an economic industry, and the state, the political community par excellence, can bring us to a more accurate understanding of the nature of the markets for unusual commodities like protection, and it contributes, indirectly, to the political theory of the emergence of protection agencies.— Alberto Vannucci
British Journal of Sociology
A remarkable theoretical achievement. Starting from what is apparently a most unpromising premise, that the workings of the Mafia can be understood within a rational choice framework, Gambetta repeatedly surprises us with his theoretical ingenuity...In a brief review, one cannot do justice to the complexity of the arguments in a book likeGambetta's. Let it suffice to say I could not put it down and I estimate it will become a classic in the burgeoning literature upon the rational choice approach to sociological analysis.— Peter Abell
Journal of Economics
This is a fascinating book. It provides a wealth of information about an organization which, despite its repellent nature, understandably continues to intrigue many people. And the narrative, based, as much of it is, on the testimony of various ex mafiosi who have turned state's evidence, possesses a compelling immediacy. As a work of history, it is first-rate.— Larry J. Sechrest
Modern Italy
Gambetta's study is, quite simply, brilliant. At once thoughtful and provocative, he argues that the mafioso deals not in violence, but in protection...Witty and well-argued, compelling but not didactic, this is precisely what a scholarly work should be.British Journal of Criminology
A carefully argued and well written interpretation of the Sicilian Mafia which should be required reading for every student of criminology.— David Nelken
American Journal of Sociology
[Gambetta] has done an outstanding job of gathering and analyzing the data that were available...A tremendous achievement.— Peter Kollock
Library Journal
Gambetta (sociology, Oxford) sets forth a new perspective on the Mafia, discarding the popular impression that it is a criminal community secretly controlled through a centralized structure. Gambetta constructs a theoretical framework, supported by evidence obtained from the mafiosi trials of the 1980s in Italy, that aims to clarify the Mafia's actual economic role. Unlike previous observers, Gambetta describes the Mafia as a ``commercial identity'' that supplies ``private protection.'' He further characterizes it as ``a particular trademark of the protection industry,'' comparing it with the automobile, insurance, and advertising industries. Drawing on history, geography, and social circumstances, Gambetta is able to rationalize the Mafia's role with surprising success. This work will benefit students, academics, and other informed readers wanting an intellectual understanding of the Mafia.-- Ali D. Abdulla, East Carolina Univ . , Greenville, N . C.Booknews
Draws on economic analysis and on the confessions of eight Mafiosi and the trials their revelations triggered to reshape traditional interpretations of the Mafia's origins, functions, and social consequences. Translated from the Italian original (publication date not stated). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Product Details
Related Subjects
Meet the Author
Diego Gambetta is Professor of Sociology at the University of Oxford and Official Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART 1: THE INDUSTRY OF PREOTECTION
1. The market
2. The resources
3. The industry
PART 2: THE INDUSTRY IN SICILY
4. The Origins
5. The Cartel
6. The Trademarks
PART 3: PROTECTION IN PRACTICE
7. Dispute Settlement
8. Orderly Markets
9. Disordered Markets
Conclusion
Postscript
Appendix A: Etymologies of Mafioso and Mafia
Appendix B: Descriptions of the Mafia Ritual
Abbreviations
Notes
Bibliography
Index