the consigliere or the underboss?

Turnbull?

The underboss.

Turnbull will be here shortly to tell you why. An the histoty of why. And all the underbosses in Mafia history

:p

The consigliere... Right under The Don.

The Underboss is a "line" job, like s supervisor or manager at work. He's responsible for the actions of others.

The Consigliere is a "staff" position. No one works for him, or directly under him. He advises reports directly to the Don.

I think you could consider the Consigliere "higher" in a sense, though, because he could go to an Underboss and relay instructions or orders from the Don.

Difficult to say. I remember I saw somewhere a structure diagram. Then the Don was linked to Underboss and Consiglieri. But the Underbosses were linked to other people and the Consiglieri not(just an advisor as in the business). But when this is true it's strange that the Consiglieri can give direct orders, so I think the structure should be Don=>Consiglieri=>Underbosses.

We wait for Turnbull

There was a good message left by Boss_of_bosses in January that may help clear this up. He found a site detailing the mob hierarchy, and I've copied some of his message below:

Capo / Don / "Godfather"(Boss):
The Don is the head of the family, no one can call the shots over his decisions. He is also only 1 of 2 people who can initiate someone into the family. Since his rank gives him the authority to give the oath to new members and make them sgarrista.. He also has the authority to give people their positions and ranks.

Sotto Capo / Capo Bastone (Underboss):
The Underboss is appointed by the Don. He is the second in command of the entire operation. He is usually the leader of "day-to-day" functions..Hes the muscle on the street. His word should go unchallenged by everyone except the don. He is basicly the top dog when it comes to the work on the street. The Don goes to him for "orders" and "jobs". He is also to see to it that the Caporegimes stay in check. Underboss is the only other person who has the authority to swear in new members, but he must report them to the don.

Consigliere(Counselor / Advisor):
The Consigliere is voted by the whole family(made members). In theory, the consigliere is the same rank as the underboss. Yet the consigliere has no power in the "day-to-day" operations. He is only there to advise and sometimes question. He is the equal rank of underboss but does not have the authority to give any orders. His job is to advise on all of the don's decisions and some of the underboss's. He is the only one in the family who is allowed to speak his mind on all important matters and even question the don, yet can not override him.

How is this meant. For example Tom Hagen gave orders but he was ordered by Vito/Michael. And an Underboss can give orders without the Don knowing it???

Thanx SC. U saved me the trouble. A Consigliere is as equal as the rank of an underboss. Only difference is the Advisor doesn't give orders unless the Don says it's ok. an underboss is 2nd in command of everything and everyone.

Some Families have had 3 underbosses at once. some have 2

I searched and I can't find the original post or link. SC or B_of_B would you please post it for me? Thanks.

Sure thing, Bronxie.

Here's the link: THE RANKS

The underboss is the next thing to being the top boss

I think I would go for the consigliere. He might not have as much "direkt control", but he sure has alot of influence on the Don, which might affect the decisions made in the family more then the underboss.