International Journal on Criminology Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2019/2020 | Page 75

International Journal on Criminology
The harming capabilities or perceived threat associated, internally and externally,
with the Mafia forces (human capital and technology at its disposal) is an essential
means to enforce deals, to ensure the continuity of their legal order in the territories
they control and capture targeted resources (predation and robbery).
Interestingly, Mafias’ normative backbone is close and comparable to feudal
societies. In these holist systems, the individual disappears behind the collective.
Mafias’ codes give its leaders authoritarian power over everyone in the organization,
and establish absolute loyalty, honor, and respect as its three core values. Men
of honor are bound for life by an allegiance to their hierarchical superior as well as
their interests. 4 In return, bosses are deeply attached to the defense of the group
and its homeland.
It is also fundamentally important to note that Mafias’ codes encourage
members to consider Nation-States, all public institutions as its enemies, its normative
order and set of values as being flawed. As Gayraud points out, Mafias have
developed within traditional societies, such as the ones surrounding the Mediterranean
basin, attaching central importance to biological family and extended family
or clan bonds (Kelly 1999). Hence, Mafias built their own normative codes in
opposition to the holistic values behind Democracies’ social contracts. Solidarity
among its ranks is praised in contradiction to contemporary liberal individualism.
Mafias’ leaderships determine meaning, motives, and causes.
In addition, fighting a long-term war against some powerful opponents,
Mafias cherish invisibility and discretion as central norms to preserve its continuity.
Mafias’ obsession is to dissimulate its activities, its members, ambitions, rituals,
and laws, sometimes even its own existence (Gayraud 2014). During initiation
rituals, Mafias teach new men of honor secret means of recognition and distinctive
communication. First through their own language using slang, old dialect, and
own coded salutations. Mafia movie Donnie Brasco (1997) depicts the meaning
of the salutations “one of my friends” and “one of our friends” which, respectively,
differentiate introduction of a business partner and an initiate within a Cosa Nostra
conversation. Moreover, initiates are instructed to become men of few words.
Like in ancient societies, the virtues of silence are brought forward, once again
a deliberate differentiation with modern liberal Nation-States. Language is perceived
as a potential danger and oral treason from their own ranks (repentant) is
punished by death.
2.1.3. The Resonance of Initiation
Initiations are symbolistic rituals materializing the separation between Mafias and
Nation-States as two opposite normative entities and legitimate coercive authorities.
This process, comparable to Mafia’s human resources’ work, is therefore cru-
4 Most Mafias are misogynistic’ actors to the notable exception of the Camorra.
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