For a Theory of “Paramafia” : When Non-Mafiosi Act as Mafiosi

Is it possible that people unrelated to mafia develop mafia-type organizations? This paper aims at investigating in deep how mafia modus operandi has spread into non-traditional areas also generating imitative processes; in particular, the focus will regard group of people who are totally extraneous from mafia contexts, such as entrepreneurs, politicians, officials, with no connection to organized crime. Studies on mafia hybridization put emphasis only on criminal groups that evolve into a mafia-type one. This research has a different focus. For 'paramafia criminality' we mean the systematic assumption of a modus operandi typical of mafia repertoire by organizations whose members are formally and originally unrelated to traditional mafia organizations. Members of a paramafia group are connected to each other in a lasting relationship, are hierarchically ordered according to a division of labour and aim to achieve profits and power, committing systematically crimes. The research investigates two case studies localised in Bergamo, a district in Northern Italy. The research uses qualitative methodology, mainly through with analysis of judicial documents and interviews A paramafia phenomenon could rise when there is an extended, strict (monopolizing) relationship between a group with public functions (politicians, entrepreneurs, officials) and the social fabric in which the group is operating. The group also needs a large relationship network, and the settlement area must be relatively small – therefore, there is a high density of social relationships. The target of the research is developing an 'intermediate' model of organized crime, complementary to mafia model and economic crime.