There is a significant gap in English literature concerning antimafia research. Some books have b... more There is a significant gap in English literature concerning antimafia research. Some books have been written but, until now, only one research article could be found studying civil society in the fight against the Mafia. This gap was an impetus to set up a qualitative research project. The main goal is to gain an understanding of antimafia NGOs and their members. The literature review focused on three aspects: the Mafia concept, the antimafia movement and social movements. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members from antimafia organisations Libera, Addiopizzo and Rita Atria. There was also an interview conducted with Mafia and antimafia expert Umberto Santino. Due to the lack of literature, this study is exploratory and its results are rather descriptive. A first research question focused on what “antimafia” means to antimafia NGO members, while taking into account motivation, goals and the meaning that they allocate to their experiences in the antimafia movement. It was clear from the analysis that a broad understanding is allocated to antimafia. This movement is not just about fighting the Mafia; it is about creating a better and more civilised society. The second research question tackled organisational aspects ofantimafia NGOs. This question analysed goals, activities and the modus operandi of the organisations. All organisations have different goals, activities and modus operandi, but they have an important aspect in common: they want to create a society, free from Mafia dominion in which young people and school-aged children are the primary focus. This research question also considered what kind of movement the antimafia movement is, referring to the scientific literature on social movements. The answer to that question is not unambiguous; the antimafia movement is a unique movement to which aspects of different definitions of social movements are applicable. The third research question examined the impact of antimafia NGOs, the antimafia movement in general as perceived by their members as well as their opinions of antimafia state policy. The perceived impact is experienced at different levels. First, there is the impact of organisations through organised activities. There is also a general impact, which members refer to as a change in mentality and culture. The Mafia is no longer a taboo idea and nowadays, people are less afraid to rebel against it. Lastly, antimafia state policy is perceived as insufficient due to a lack of coherence in the government.
There is a significant gap in English literature concerning antimafia research. Some books have b... more There is a significant gap in English literature concerning antimafia research. Some books have been written but, until now, only one research article could be found studying civil society in the fight against the Mafia. This gap was an impetus to set up a qualitative research project. The main goal is to gain an understanding of antimafia NGOs and their members. The literature review focused on three aspects: the Mafia concept, the antimafia movement and social movements. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members from antimafia organisations Libera, Addiopizzo and Rita Atria. There was also an interview conducted with Mafia and antimafia expert Umberto Santino. Due to the lack of literature, this study is exploratory and its results are rather descriptive. A first research question focused on what “antimafia” means to antimafia NGO members, while taking into account motivation, goals and the meaning that they allocate to their experiences in the antimafia movement. It was clear from the analysis that a broad understanding is allocated to antimafia. This movement is not just about fighting the Mafia; it is about creating a better and more civilised society. The second research question tackled organisational aspects ofantimafia NGOs. This question analysed goals, activities and the modus operandi of the organisations. All organisations have different goals, activities and modus operandi, but they have an important aspect in common: they want to create a society, free from Mafia dominion in which young people and school-aged children are the primary focus. This research question also considered what kind of movement the antimafia movement is, referring to the scientific literature on social movements. The answer to that question is not unambiguous; the antimafia movement is a unique movement to which aspects of different definitions of social movements are applicable. The third research question examined the impact of antimafia NGOs, the antimafia movement in general as perceived by their members as well as their opinions of antimafia state policy. The perceived impact is experienced at different levels. First, there is the impact of organisations through organised activities. There is also a general impact, which members refer to as a change in mentality and culture. The Mafia is no longer a taboo idea and nowadays, people are less afraid to rebel against it. Lastly, antimafia state policy is perceived as insufficient due to a lack of coherence in the government.
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