Mafia violence is rare while intelligence work is constant
Evidence
- The tendency to focus more on violence than on activities such as gathering intelligence can he attributed to the fact that usually when we read about organized crime, it is in the context of violence. Snooping is less newsworthy than murder. But violent action, while crucial, is only occasionally demanded of a mafioso (although it must always be perceived as a potential threat); by contrast, knowledge and discretion are actively required at all times. — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 792
Categorization
- XREF: Corrects the common ‘violence-obsessed mafia’ stereotype in favor of an information-centered view; pairs with the chapter’s Milgrom-style analysis of reputation and information costs.