NCJ Number
17143
Date Published
1972
Length
250 pages
Annotation
SEEKS TO ILLUMINATE THE NATURE OF WAR AND PEACE IN MULTIACTOR SYSTEMS, SUCH AS IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS, BY EXAMINING THE RELATIVE PEACE AND ORDER WHICH HAS EXISTED IN AMERICAN ORGANIZED CRIME.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS STUDY IS THE SIX COSA NOSTRA FAMILIES BASED IN THE NEW YORK CITY METROPOLITAN AREA. THESE FAMILIES ARE CONSIDERED TO COMPRISE A MULTIACTOR POLITICAL SYSTEM, IN THAT A CENTRAL POLITICAL AUTHORITY IS ABSENT. EACH FAMILY IS THOUGHT TO CONTROL ITS OWN RESOURCES AND WEAPONRY AND IS THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF POLITICAL IDENTIFICATION FOR ITS MEMBERS. WAR IS THEREFORE BELIEVED TO BE THE FINAL ARBITER OF CONFLICTS. THE CENTRAL QUESTION OF THE STUDY CONCERNS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF PEACE WITHIN THE COSA NOSTRA. COMMON ETHNIC ORIGINS AND SOCIAL NORMS, THE NECESSITY FOR COOPERATION TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC GOALS, AND COMMON THREATS IN THE UNDERWORLD AND UPPERWORLD HAS GIVEN A FAIRLY STABLE PEACE AND COOPERATIVE USE OF POWER WITHIN THE COMMISSION COMPOSED OF HEADS OF FAMILIES. INCREASED AMERICANIZATION OF ETHNIC GROUPS, CHALLENGES FROM LAW ENFORCEMETN AND NON-COSA NOSTRA CRIMINAL GROUPS, AND CHANGES IN THE MONOPOLISTIC CONTROL OF GAMBLING ENTERPRISES AS LEGALIZATION BECOMES MORE PREVALENT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE PRECIPITATING THE NEED FOR CHANGE IN COSA NOSTRA OPERATIONS AND STRUCTURE. THE AUTHOR PREDICTS A GREAT DEAL OF CONFLICT AND INSTABILITY AS REVISIONS IN POLICY ARE THRUST UPON THE LEADERSHIP.