Mafia formation parallels the emergence of European states.

Evidence

For a discussion of these themes with regard to feudalism, and for potential parallels between the mafia and the formation of states in the context of European history, see North and Thomas (1973, esp. chap. 8). — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 849

Categorization

• XREF: North and Thomas’s state-formation parallel is the classic institutionalist frame the reader’s whole project depends on.