Mafiosi tolerate peasant collectives only when they lead them

Evidence

Evidence shows that mafiosi have sided with peasants when the latter have acted collectively but without unions, especially socialist unions; conversely, whenever unions were present, violence has erupted. The mafiosi did not fear collective movements as such, provided they themselves were the leaders. — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 232

Categorization

• SEED: An economics-of-predation angle: the mafia can dominate an unorganized rabble but must destroy organized labor because unions substitute for—not merely threaten—their protection product.