| Abstract: |
This research attempts to explain the large differences in the early diffusion
of the mafia across different areas of Sicily. We advance the hypothesis that,
after the demise of Sicilian feudalism, the lack of publicly provided
property-right protection from widespread banditry favored the development of
a florid market for private protection and the emergence of a cartel of
protection providers: the mafia. This would especially be the case in those
areas (prevalently concentrated in the Western part of the island)
characterized by the production and commercialization of sulphur and citrus
fruits, Sicily's most valuable export goods whose international demand was
soaring at the time. We test this hypothesis combining data on the early
incidence of mafia across Sicilian municipalities and on the distribution of
sulphur reserves, land suitability for the cultivation of citrus fruits,
distance from the main commercial ports, and a variety of other geographical
controls. Our empirical findings provide support for the proposed hypothesis
documenting, in particular, a significant impact of sulphur extraction,
terrain ruggedness, and distance from Palermo's port on mafia's early
diffusion. |