PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

In the scientific debate on mafias we find neither a common usage nor a shared understanding as to what characterizes a mafia as opposed to other forms of organized crime. To clarify the mafia concept we suggest following Georg Simmel’s notion that the appearance of a third party substantively alters the constitution of a social configuration. It is our thesis that mafias act as the third party in a variety of settings by creating or sustaining social orders between at least two other involved parties. In order to acquire and maintain these third party positions, mafias assume the shape of formal organizations. In this light we show the usefulness of this approach through empirical cases that demonstrate how mafias operate as mediators, referees and gatekeepers. The concept “mafias as organized third parties” offers benefits to the study of mafias and organized crime as well as social theory more generally.