Capturing Calabria? ‘Ndrangheta, Corruption, and Maladministration in Local Public Institutions in Southern Italy

The ‘ndrangheta is the collective name of mafia-type groups from Calabria, Italy. Some ‘ndrangheta clans’ ability to influence local public institutions has been based on personal connections, systemic corruption, electoral influence, hidden exchanges, blackmailing power, and “elitarian handshakes.” Mafias have long-term interests in “capturing” state institutions to secure profits, impunity, and generally a dominant position in the resulting balance of power with the “legitimate” state. This chapter highlights processes of state capture enabled by ‘ndrangheta clans at the municipal level in the region of Calabria. It shows how the clans’ influence shaped policy formulation, implementation, and enforcement of rules over time.