Impacts of the MafiaThe Mafia is an Italian secret criminal society. The mafia, or syndicate, impacts cities around the world. Most of the effects of the mafia are negative, but there can be several positive effects on the culture and economy of the cities it frequents. Peter Maas declares organized crime the “biggest business in the country” (Maas). “The largest and best-known organized criminal group is the national organization known variously as the 'syndicate,' 'mafia,' 'mafia,' and 'Cosa Nostra'” (Nash, Jason O-155). Some mafia activities include gambling, loan sharking, pornography, illicit drugs, and racketeering. The mafia was born in Sicily, but was not limited to that place. Indeed, at the end of the 19th century, many of the Sicilian members emigrated to the United States (Nash O-155). The Mafia in the United States includes American members with Sicilian ancestry ("Mafia" M-48). In the United States there are several mafia groups. Law enforcement agrees that there are approximately twenty-five groups operating in large cities across the nation (Nash O-155). The different mafia groups are called “families” because all the members are related. Each family is led by a head, whose authority is absolutely absolute. Some caps may be called “godparents” because the cape acts as a godfather to the children of “family” members. Most mafia leaders own legitimate businesses. Ownership does not imply racketeering, because running a business honestly allows the owners to receive respectability (or at least a bluff). Below the boss is the underboss, or underboss, and an advisor, or advisor. The advisor is a senior member of the “does...... middle of paper ...... benefit financially from their activities in these markets. Countries with offshore centers specializing in money laundering reap significant benefits. Unlike the negative effects of the mafia and organized crime, the positive effects are direct and quickly perceptible (Van Dijk 56). While it may seem like the revenue from all illegal activities helps the economy, this is actually not the case. There are profits but everything leads back to negativity: corruption, less rule of law, business risk, etc. The economy is actually slowed and weakened rather than strengthened (Van Dijk 52). Whether lucky or unlucky, the Mafia has an impact on the cities it frequents. The effects can be both positive and negative. Overall, the Mafia's impact on the culture and economy it frequents is undoubtedly negative.