Mafia
This article deals with Mafia as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.
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Foundation
Founded on sunday 24th of july 2005.
World Factbook Entry
The Mafia, also referred to as La Cosa Nostra, is the collective name of various secret organizations in NationStates.
Today the Mafia remains the most powerful criminal organization operating in NationStates and uses this status to maintain control over the regions.
] History
The Mafia, also referred to as La Cosa Nostra (Italian, variously translated as This Thing Of Ours or Our Thing), is the collective name of various secret organizations in Italy, Sicily, Corsica and the United States. The Mafia was originally the name of a loose confederation of people in Sicily, who, in the middle ages, joined for the purposes of protection from the Turks and Normans currently occupying the area. Soon the group turned to vigilante law enforcement. This confederation later engaged in organized crime.
There is also a theory that the word "mafia" came from an Arabic word mahīya or similar meaning "flashy", i.e. "the swank set" or similar; it was observed that in Sicily, for example, an unusually ornate and demonstrative cockerel can be described by the adjective "mafioso".
A member of the Mafia is a "mafioso", a "manfias", or a "man of honor".
The Mafia spread to the United States through immigration by the 20th century.
Mafia power peaked in the United States in the mid-20th century, until a series of FBI investigations in the 1970s and 1980s somewhat curtailed the Mafia's influence. Despite the decline, the Mafia and its reputation have become entrenched in American popular culture, portrayed in movies, TV shows, and even product commercials.
Today the Italian-American Mafia remains the most powerful criminal organization operating in the USA and uses this status to maintain control over the majority of both Chicago's and New York City's criminal enterprises.
The term "mafia" has now been extended to refer to any large group of people engaged in organized crime (such as the Russian Mafia, Japanese Yakuza, and Triads), or in suspicious activity (such as the Trenchcoat Mafia from the Columbine High School massacre). When unqualified, however, "Mafia" still usually refers to the original Sicilian/American organizations.
Mafia structure
Known as the Honored Society among Mafiosi the chain of command is organized in a pyramid similar to a modern corporate structure.
- Capo di Tutti Capi (The "Boss of all Bosses" although this title is rarely held.)
- Capo di Capi Re (a title of respect given to a senior or retired member, equivalent to being a chairman emeritus.)
- Capo Crimini (A "Super Boss" known as a Don or "Godfather" of a crime family)
- Capo Bastone (Known as the "Underboss" is second in command to the Capo Crimini)
- Consigliere (Advisor)
- Contabile (Financial advisor)
- Caporegime or Capodecina (A Lieutenant who commands a "crew" of around ten or more Sgarrista or "soldiers")
- Sgarrista or Soldati ("Made" members of the Mafia who serve primarily as foot soldiers)
- Picciotto (A low ranking member of the Mafia who serve as "Enforcers" or "button men")
- Giovane D'Onore (An associate member of the Mafia, usually a non-Italian)
