Search results for "Extortion"
showing 10 items of 21 documents
How Mafia Works: An Analysis of the Extortion Racket System
2014
In this document, we present an analysis of quali-quantitative data on Extortion Rackets in Sicily. The second section provides an introduction to the interpretative framework on Extortion Racket Systems (ERSs). Therefore, the third section takes into account the methodological issues in the collection and analysis of data on extortions. The fourth and five sections offer an analysis on the types of extortion and the correspondent behaviour of the victims, followed by a focus on the process of extortion. An overview of the case-studies analysis on mafia-type organizations ends the document.
The Economics of Extortion: Theory and Evidence on the Sicilian Mafia
2019
This paper studies extortion of firms operating in legal sectors by a profit-maximizing criminal organization. We develop a simple principal-agent model under asymmetric information to find the Mafia-optimal extortion as a function of firms' observable characteristics, namely size and sector. We test the predictions of the model on a unique dataset on extortion in Sicily, the Italian region where the most powerful criminal organization, the Mafia, operates. In line with our theoretical model, our empirical findings show that extortion is strongly concave in firm's size and highly regressive. The percentage of profits appropriated by Mafia ranges from 40% for small firms to 2% for large firm…
The economics of extortion: Theory and the case of the Sicilian Mafia
2023
This paper studies extortion of firms operating in legal sectors by a profit-maximizing criminal organization. We develop a simple taxation model under asymmetric information to find the Mafia optimal extortion as a function of firms’ observable characteristics, namely size and sector. We test the predictions of the model on a unique dataset on extortion in Sicily, the Italian region where the Sicilian Mafia, one of the most ancient criminal organizations, operates. In line with our theoretical model, our empirical findings show that extortion is strongly concave with respect to firm size and highly regressive. The percentage of profits appropriated by the Mafia ranges from 40% for small fi…
Mechanisms of the Embedding of Extortion Racket Systems: The case of Cosa Nostra
2017
The chapter summarises some of the research undertaken in the EU project GLODERS which is directed towards investigating the dynamics of extortion racket systems (ERS) of which the Sicilian Mafia is but one example (http://www.gloders.eu/). Before describing in more detail the principal formal characteristics of the Mafia-type organizations and the ways in which the extortion racket system works in a certain territory it is necessary to briefly outline what is a mafia-type organization and what we mean when we talk about the extortion racket system. The chapter propose an analysis of the mechanisms of the process of extortion in Sicily.
La "razionalità" delle vittime di estorsione e l'impatto dell'overload informativo
2016
Il capitolo presenta un breve excursus tra le contrapposte interpretazioni del fenomeno mafioso e in particolare di quello estorto. Prende poi in considerazione i concetti di incertezza, rischio e overload informativo per vedere come sono stati trattati dalla teoria sociologica contemporanea e come è possibile utilizzare tali concetti nell'interpretazione dello stato delle vittime di estorsione. Si analizzano infine la prospettiva culturista nella sua versione 2.0 e gli effetti dell'overload informativo sulle vittime. The chapter presents a brief excursus between the opposing interpretations of the mafia phenomenon and in particular of the extorted one. It then takes into consideration the …
The cost of protection racket in Sicily
2008
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the current cost of protection rackets in Sicily. By means of a database constructed on judicial evidence, it has been possible to come up with an estimate of the average and total costs of the protection-money system, as well as finding out in which sectors of economic activity and in which provinces is most pervasive. The average monthly payment is approximately 600 euros per business, with stronger effects in those areas with a relatively more traditional economic structure. As a whole, in monetary terms, the protection racket in Sicily accounts for over 1.4% of gross regional product. Finally, the paper supports the hypothesis that in most cases,…
Tra Sicilia e America: gli “scappati” di Cosa Nostra,
2009
Territorial control is one of the most important elements for the survival of the mafia. It is an obligated path to be able to obtain and control economic activities and to penetrate into all profitable sectors. Without territorial control it is impossible to control voters and without it all relationships with politics wither and die. It is within the territory where the imposition of "pizzo" (protection money) and extortion are planned against businesses and firms. This impending presence is also the cause in which citizens and families find themselves submitted to violence, the abuse of power and, if not only, to a limitation to their sphere of action. Telling the story about the scappat…
Wymuszenie rozbójnicze i rozbiór - analiza znamion czynów zabronionych na tle statystyk sądowych
2018
Artykuł poddaje analizie kontrowersyjne zagadnienie różnic występujących pomiędzy przestępstwem wymuszenia rozbójniczego a rozbojem. W rozważaniach odniesiono się do doktryny oraz orzecznictwa wskazując na liczne wątpliwości pojawiające się w tej materii. Podjęto również próbę wyznaczenia granic jakie dzielą te przestępstwa. W części drugiej odniesiono się do statystyk sądowych obrazujących dynamikę czynu zabronionego wymuszenia rozbójniczego. W szczególności zaprezentowano dane dotyczące liczby przestępstw wszczętych oraz stwierdzonych porównując je również z przestępstwem rozboju. Wskazano nadto liczbę prawomocnych przestępstw z art. 282 k.k. z uwzględnieniem płci oraz wieku sprawców.
I minori sono Cosa Nostra? Criminalità organizzata, devianza minorile e sistema giudiziario a Palermo e Catania
2009
Do All Juveniles Belong to Cosa Nostra? Palermo and Catania are the two main cities of Sicily - Despite the fact that they share similar problems, such as underdevelopment, unemployment and social deprivation, the Juvenile Courts of the two cities apply different policies when dealing with juvenile deviants. When the same kind of crimes committed by juvenile defendants are considered, the Palermo court is found to be more lenient than its counterpart in Cata235 nia. Seeking an explanation for this discrepancy, the two authors discuss figures and use qualitative material to argue that it must be connected to the different relationship between organised crime and juvenile deviance in the two …
Economic Structure and Vulnerability to Organised Crime: Evidence from Sicily
2008
The economic analysis of organised crime suggests that some economic activities are particularly vulnerable to penetration by criminal organisations. This paper provides an analysis of the structure of the Sicilian economy and shows that, when compared with other Italian regions, it is characterised by a disproportionate presence of such activities. In particular, the economy of Sicily appears characterised by: (i) a large dimension of traditional sectors, such as the Construction sector, which also has a strong territorial specificity; (ii) a large presence of small firms; (iii) a low level of technology; (iii) a large public sector. The joint presence of these features creates fertile soi…