It all starts with the administration... they have not had one bad administration since they began. every other family has had at least one fuck up for a boss. think trickle down theory, the success of a family depends on the decisions of the administration. To this day you can find debates on whether Benny Squint was actually the boss, what's that 30-40 years ago? Does anyone ever doubt if Paul castellano or Tony Ducks were really boss?? Wealthy, respected bosses yes, but secrecy was a top prerogative for the Genovese.
Yeah, that's exactly what it is. And I do find them superior in every way.
But you can't discount the fact they've also been a little lucky. Rats usually create a domino effect. And they've lucked out a few times, like with Cafaro, and more recently with that asshole Johnny Balls who put Angelo away, and that clown Arillotta up in New England.
It's inevitable that someone will flip someday that does a lot more damage than these mopes. But until that day comes, yeah, they're still the "Ivy League."
