The La Cosa Nostra or American Mafia is entered in the popolar culture like a movie like Godfellas or Casino and tv series like the Sopranos and today every new arrest or trial against members of the mafia is news but I think its importance in the logic of crime is exaggerated.
Since the 1980s, it no longer plays a prominent role in drug trafficking,is confinate in the East Coast,have less than 700 made men lost most of his rackets and are no long a secret society with the members that flip that can easly turn back to his hoods without any danger.
Today are more dangerous the cartels,the black gangs and the bikers but Tony Soprano have more charm that Jax Teller or Stringer Bell of course the mobsters are still respected but the mob isnt so dangerous out NY.
You are correct Furio. The Mafia as a word alone, and within the mindsets of the general public is much more "sexy" and "intoxicating" than common drug dealers or cafone gangbangers. Few care to read about the crimes of these basic criminals. But most readers are still fascinated with thoughts of this secret society of Italian/Sicilian men who are shrouded in secrecy and rituals. The "honor" "money" "power" etc., is intoxicating to them...And once upon a time much of that was very true.
But in recent years (in recent decades in fact) the world changed and the mob changed right along with it. Today's mob has nowhere near the footprint or power it once did. For those who choose to believe otherwise I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell them for $24
