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They are not Mafia, but business is full of them just the same.

rack·et·eer  (rk-tîr)
n.
A person who commits crimes such as extortion, loansharking, bribery, and obstruction of justice in furtherance of illegal business activities.

extortion = bonuses
loansharking = CDOs
bribery = lobbying
obstruction of justice = politics

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Fri Dec 25th, 2009 at 03:35:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The mafia has long since "lowered its head to weather the storm." It is of course under constant transformation. Grosso modo there is a military branch that offers services such as protection, repression and distribution within each of its territory (mandamenti). There is an "upper class" mafia that consists of professionals (doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs). They are bona fide mafia members. This "second level" interacts as a major "camouflaged" go-between between corrupt politicians, businesses and mafia interests. Because the mafia controls vast territories and strategic services such as in construction, it does not allow rival expressions of racketeering. It's a monopoly. Mafia territories are, not surprisingly, relatively safe from small crime.

Outside territories such as in Lombardia (which is far more important to the `Ndrangheta than the Lazio region where the Camorra has made major inroads) rival criminal organizations seek tactical alliances to divide up specific roles, businesses or territories.

The modern mafia sends its children to the best business schools in the world. This new generation  is educated, very well mannered, impeccably dressed and could likely hold down a job as secretary to the Council Presidency. I suppose minimum requirements to become a member of the mafia may have been relaxed. It's hard to imagine a dapper young man with a British accent and a masters in international law strangling a designated victim.

by de Gondi (publiobestia aaaatttthotmaildaughtusual) on Fri Dec 25th, 2009 at 05:33:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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