This innovative book investigates the paradoxical situation whereby organized crime groups, authoritarian in nature and anti-democratic in practice, perform at their best in democratic countries. It uses examples from the United States, Japan, Russia, South America, France, Italy and the European Union.

ContentsOrganized crime: a challenge to Democracy?Part I: Definitions and Diatribes1. Why is organised crime so successful Fabio Armao2. Mafia and anti-Mafia, the implications for everyday life Renate Siebert3. Transnational organized crime between myth and reality: the social construction of a threat Monica MassariPart II: 'The 'Weakest' Link: The State Under Siege4. Organized Crime, business and the state in post-communist Russia Sergei Plekhanov5. Drug trafficking and the state: the case of colombia Sayaka Fukumi6. Transnational organised crime, security and the European Union Wyn ReesPart III: Civil Society Held to Ransom7. 'Once upon a time in America': organized crime and civil society Robert J. Kelly and Rufus Schatzberg8. Civil resistance: society fights back... Ercole Giap Parini9. For Christ's Sake: organised crime and religion Alessandra DinoPart IV: Organized Crime and Politics10. Democracy and the gangs: the case of Marseilles Paola Monzini11. Organized crime, politics and the judiciary in post-war Italy Jean-Louis Briquet12. Mediated democracy: Yakuza and Japanese political leadership Eiko Maruko13. Conclusion: organized crime and Democracy: 'uncivil' or 'civil' society? Felia Allum and Renate Siebert

Felia Allum is a lecturer in Italian history and politics at the University of Bath, UK. Her research interests are European and Italian politics and organized crime, in particular, its relationship with politics.Renate Siebert is Professor of Sociology at the University of Calabria, Italy. Her research focuses on gender, generations, the mafia and the Mezzogiorno region in particular.