Social Networks of the Italian Mafia: The Strong and Weak Parts

CEU Political Science Journal, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 382-413, 2010

32 Pages Posted: 3 Oct 2010 Last revised: 15 Dec 2010

See all articles by Baris Cayli

Baris Cayli

University of Stirling - The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, School of Applied Social Science

Date Written: September 30, 2010

Abstract

In this paper, it is argued that a well-built, social network system has enabled the Mafia to reach a certain level of success through three main networks: members, local people, and politicians. I assert that the role of the executive power of the state has been partially supportive in this success. Moreover, this paper also concludes that to combat different Mafia groups, it is essential to know their strong and weak parts. Consequently, it is found that their well-built network system does not solely comprise of strong parts but that the weak parts also exist, albeit, that they have not yet played a defective role in the resolution of the Mafia. Therefore, this paper suggests that the illustration of both the strong and weak parts of these networks can have prominent and assisting role in the combat against the Mafia phenomenon in the future, either by strengthening the weak parts or by weakening the strong parts of its networks.

Keywords: Mafia, social network analysis

Suggested Citation

Cayli, Baris, Social Networks of the Italian Mafia: The Strong and Weak Parts (September 30, 2010). CEU Political Science Journal, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 382-413, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1685494 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1685494

Baris Cayli (Contact Author)

University of Stirling - The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, School of Applied Social Science ( email )

Stirling, Scotland FK9 4LA
United Kingdom

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