Married to the Mob: The Relationship of the Mafia to the Italian Political System

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1999
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Haverford College. Department of Political Science
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Thesis
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
This thesis is about the role of the Mafia in the context of the evolving Italian political system. The primary focus is on the history of the Mafia, on the Sicilian society from which this organization derives and on the connection of the Sicilian beliefs and behaviors to the national, Italian government and its politicians. The alliance of the Mafia with the government and its politicians has been characteristic of the Italian state for decades, and while well-known, the Italian people did nothing to protest this marriage. However, following the events of 1992 and the subsequent collapse of the traditional party system, the extent to which the Mafia was involved in the government was revealed, and the collaboration was found to be extensive extensive. Now, the primary question facing the nation of Italy is, to what extent will the role of the Mafia within the political system alter following the supposed cleanup of the government? The foremost challenge confronting both the post-1992 political system and the Italian people as a whole is how to undo the nearly five decades of venal leadership during which both political corruption and the Mafia's role in the government was consolidated and institutionalized. Following World War II, such collusion was promoted and defended, not only by the politicians and the mafiosi, but by the Italian people themselves. Thus, nothing short of a national, collective change in mentality will promote and foster a government whose sole purpose is no longer to further the personal gain of the leaders and of the Italian people as well, but to promote democratic governance. In addition, another concern facing the Italian state is what will rise to take the place of this old political system? Either an entirely new political system will emerge or a similar version of the old regime will fill the political vacuum that continues to exist. While the link between the Mafia and the Italian government was made well-known after 1992, while many corrupt leaders have been charged and voted out of office, and while referenda attempting to rectify Italy's flawed electoral system have been overwhelmingly supported by the people, the Mafia is not only still in existence, but continues to flourish, and politicians are still being brought up on charges of corruption. The necessary collective change in the way in which the Italian people regard their government has yet to transpire.
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