Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/213325 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
GLO Discussion Paper No. 458
Publisher: 
Global Labor Organization (GLO), Essen
Abstract: 
Local governments suspected of Mafia infiltration can be dismissed in Italy through an administrative act not increasing formal deterrence but potentially signaling improved law enforcement among local communities. This paper finds that dismissals are associated to a persistent fall of petty crimes (e.g. thefts) but have no consequences on offenses more closely related to the activity of organized crime, as homicide, extortion, drug-trafficking or usury. Petty crimes are estimated to fall by around 10%, on average, a result that seems driven by the perception of enhanced deterrence (through media pressure, the signaling role of the policy, and other forms of social control) rather than induced by organized crime itself.
Subjects: 
crime
law enforcement
organized crime
social control
JEL: 
K14
K42
D73
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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