The Japanese Mafia

What Are Mafias?

Organized crime is a term applied to organizations that function somewhat like governments in illegal markets. These organizations, often known as “mafias,” provide a number of services at great profit. One of the most important is protection. Mafias can see that contracts are honored, debts are paid and other obligations enforced, on behalf of people who are unwilling or unable to call on the state for such protection. Criminals are among the most important beneficiaries of this kind of protection. People engaged in illegal activities, such as drug dealing, gambling or prostitution, cannot very well call on the state to enforce their contracts.

However, mafias may also become important to noncriminals in places where the state is unable to provide security. Sicily's organized crime groups arose when Sicilian society was in transition from feudalism to a more modern economy. Many financial deals were under way, but the state had no effectively functioning institutions to enforce legal agreements. At the same time, the population included unemployed demobilized soldiers, ex-convicts and others skilled in violence who could provide protection services...