Sicilia Mafia Group: Mode of Operations and Their Impact on Political, Economic, and Social Development - Essay Example

This paper will first give a brief history of Sicilian Mafia, next it will explore their mode of operations, and lastly, it will determine Sicilian Mafia’s impacts on economic, political, and social development. The Sicilian Mafia started back in 19th century in Italy. The group emerged to defend the Sicilians living in Sicily Island from invasions of foreign army. After they resisted the foreign threats, the Sicilian unity grew strong and they united more than ever. They stood solidly to protect their resources in the Island.

With Mafiosi as their leaders, they maintained their autonomy. They organized themselves and respect for each other was a strong pillar that held them together. Slowly by slowly the Mafiosi assembled and discussed on the way to form stable institutions to govern them. The Sicilian Mafia agreed to form a government. Later, the establishments of banks and many sectors of economy followed (Natarajan 259). SSicily became a self-governing Island with its rules and regulation. The Mafiosi changed later into gang activities to amass wealth.

The Island remained under Mafia authority until Benito Mussolini came into power in the 20th century. The Mafiosi extended their activities to United States. They indulged in drug trade of heroin with some traders in America. A strong link developed between the Sicilian Mafia and their American counterparts. They later got an entry to United States and Canada to flourish their drug dealings. This was the genesis of Mafia culture in America. Since then, the Sicilian Mafia has re-invented their mode of operation to protect them.

Their illegal activities have created havoc globally (Grillo 2011). Sicilian Mafia constantly changes their tactics of operation. Their strong force comes from the fact that they have spread their operations not only nationally but also internationally and transnational. This strategy has worked quite well towards becoming stronger and stronger. It makes them grow firm while maintaining a rigid base in the Sicily Island. Mafia maintains its secretive nature (Siegel 167). Sicilian Mafia has a well- structured organization with distinct sectors.

Each sector has its role to play in this organized group of criminals. For instance, an enterprise syndicate is involved in businesses such as, drugs, contraband, gambling, and prostitution. The other syndicate focuses its attention on extortion activities to maintain their full power control. The aim of power syndicate is to exercise power over the area it has control and the people. To keep this group in a firm grip of its activities, the business syndicate employs modern and ethics of legal businesses.

Siegel notes that Sicilian Mafia embraces modern technological methods to operate their businesses (169). The economic interest and the ambition to maintain autonomy over many parts directs both the power and enterprise syndicates. The efforts of the Sicilia Mafia to establish strong international links in various parts of the world is an indication of superbly organized group. The bond of these alliances is trust and protection of information of the Mafia. The Sicilia Mafia involves politicians and many people with a lot of influence on both national and international circles.

In this way, the group infiltrates local governments, legal sector, banks, political parties, and judiciary. This strategy enables the group to be abreast with any new development that might doom the good turns of the