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Organized Crime in Italy: An Economic Analysis

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  • Sauro Mocetti

    (Structural Economic Analysis Directorate, Law and Economics Division)

  • Lucia Rizzica

    (Structural Economic Analysis Directorate, Law and Economics Division)

Abstract

Organized crime affects the socio-economic development of the areas in which it is rooted through several channels. However, analysing these effects is difficult, largely because it is extremely hard to observe and thus confidently measure the extent of mafia presence in a given area. On the basis of the most recent economic literature and with the aid of new information sources, this paper (i) analyses the spread of organized crime in Italy; (ii) describes the institutional environment that may have favoured the birth of mafias and their subsequent spread beyond traditional borders; (iii) examines the impact on economic growth and the different channels through which these effects occur.

Suggested Citation

  • Sauro Mocetti & Lucia Rizzica, 2024. "Organized Crime in Italy: An Economic Analysis," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 10(3), pages 1339-1360, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:italej:v:10:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s40797-023-00236-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s40797-023-00236-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca M. Calamunci & Livio Ferrante & Rossana Scebba, 2022. "Closed for mafia: Evidence from the removal of mafia firms on commercial property values," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(5), pages 1487-1511, November.
    2. Antonio Accetturo & Giuseppe Albanese & Maria Paola & Roberto Torrini, 2024. "The North–South Gap: Economic Development and Public Intervention," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 10(3), pages 957-975, November.
    3. Carlo Bottoni & Michele Cascarano & Iconio Garrì & Litterio Mirenda & Paolo Emilio Mistrulli & Dalia Maria Pizzillo & Davide Revelli & Tiziano Ropele, 2024. "Geography and Access to Credit: The Case of the Italian Mezzogiorno," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 10(3), pages 1029-1085, November.
    4. Acciai, Elia & Belloni, Michele & Della Giusta, Marina & Segre, Giovanna, 2023. "Illicit Shadows: An Economic Analysis of Trade Gaps in Cultural Goods through the Italian Market," IZA Discussion Papers 16282, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Bripi, Francesco & Bronzini, Raffaello & Gentili, Elena & Linarello, Andrea & Scarinzi, Elisa, 2024. "Structural change and firm dynamics in Southern Italy," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 678-691.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Organized crime; Institutions; Economic growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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