Someone here, a few of you in fact, said the mob's origin is a gang. I don't agree.

The mob's origin was of an organized underground vigilante movement rebellious to foreign invasion. The form it took was "families" ruled by patriarchal leaders. Back then, it was against the government, and for the people. Now it works with the government in many cases (corrupted LE agents) and is against the people. Back then, it carried out vigilante attacks against the members of the government and ruling class on behalf of the people. Now it uses the authority of government threaten people, with some degree of impunity and immunity.