Capturing Calabria: ‘ndrangheta, corruption and malpractice in state institutions in Southern Italy

• In Event: EUROC 6 – Corruption and Public Institutions

Abstract

The ‘ndrangheta is the collective name of mafia-type groups which originated in Calabria, Italy. Some ‘ndrangheta  clans, often appearing as family dynasties, are successful drug importers while maintaining control of territory through intimidation, extortion and “bad” reputation in their places of origin. Their ability to influence public institutions in Calabria has been largely based on personal connections, systemic corruption, electoral influence, hidden exchanges, blackmailing power, and “elitarian hand-shakes” (e.g. masonic ties). While the ‘ndrangheta clans are mostly non-violent today, their past violence constitutes a reputational capital, as much as it acts as an echo that still intimidates. Since mafias have a wide time-horizon and a reputational capital - including the possibility for violence - to affirm and sustain, they have a long-term interest in “capturing” the authority of the state’s institutions to gain profits, impunity, and more generally a dominant position in the resulting balance of power with the “legitimate” state. In this paper we will highlight the process of state capture enabled by ‘ndrangheta clans at local level, showing how the covert influence of the clans oriented policy outputs and implementation, as well as the identity of decision-makers, in Calabria. Sources will include judicial documents, decrees of dissolution of Municipalities due to mafia infiltration, media articles, and interviews with magistrates and public administrators.

Authors

• Anna Sergi, University of Essex

• Alberto Vannucci, University of Pisa