The Mafia in Sicily

The purpose of this research is to examine the Mafia in Sicily, focusing on its recent history, from 1980 to the present. The plan of the research will be to set forth the historical context for the emergence of the modern Mafia, and then to discuss the current state of the Mafia in Sicily in light of transformation of attitudes toward the organization in recent years, particularly in light of the so-called Mafia War, a series of assassinations, investigations, and government scandals involving Mafia personalities and individual and organizational behavior.

No discussion of the current status of the Mafia in Sicily can ignore its historical roots and configuration. The psychological and organizational power of the Mafia begins with language, i.e., with the definition of the word. One source defines Mafia in terms of the society as a whole, as "popular hostility to the law; also, the body of persons imbued with this sentiment which in time developed into a loosely organized secret society. Hence, a supposed organization of Sicilians or Italians in foreign countries, as revealed by similar hostility to law." The inclusion of the word supposed is instructive, for it reflects traditions of silence on the very existence of the society. Sterling cites the "ancient Sicilian code of omert( [Cosa Nostra, which] held a whole populace in bond."

Secret by nature, the Mafia was doubly secret as a result of this great popular wall of silence around it. Even as it robbed, kidnapped, extor

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vestigations involving the Mafia on the island would pass to or through them. Killing one would still leave nine others to keep going until they had sent the whole murderous pack of Mafia bosses into the dock. Before his death, Chinnici had appointed Falcone, along with chief associate Judge Paolo Borsellini, to pursue the investigation in Palermo. They made extensive use of the penitenti, who by and large opposed Castellammare and Corleone. Falcone authorized and appears to have been directly involved in extensive surveillance of suspected mafiosi, documenting their movements, meetings, travel, and other activities--whether among fellow mafiosi or between mafiosi and so-called civilians--in minute detail. This took some months and great attention to detail, but Kelly explains that Falcone and Borsellini uncovered "a cozy, closely woven relationship among politicians, entrepreneurs, police, and criminals. The Mafia was well-protected and well-camouflaged." Evidence of extensive and deep collusion between the Mafia and government officials at all levels of Italian society was abetted by the most prominent of the penitenti, Don Masino Buscetta, who had been instrumental in the internationalization of Sicilian control of the her

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