IFCO 2755 - State, Organized Crime and the Mafia: Interactions and Conflicts

This course aims to untangle the nature of the state, organized crime (OC), and the mafia, highlighting their interactions and conflicts.

We begin by discussing existing definitions of OC. Following this, we present a framework that distinguishes three key activities of OC groups: Production, Trade, and Governance. We will explore questions such as: How do groups engaging in (criminal) Production, Trade, or Governance differ from each other? Do they have distinct organizational structures and members with different ‘professional’ profiles and skills?

The second half of the course focuses on criminal governance, discussing a broad range of phenomena, such as traditional mafias (including their origins and activities) and cybercrime, piracy, and state-crime relations. This multidisciplinary course breaks traditional disciplinary boundaries within the social sciences and adopts a global outlook.

It is a fundamental course.

Required Readings for week 1:

Varese, F. 2010. ‘What is Organized Crime?’. Available here: https://federicovarese.com/2019/07/25/what-is-organized-crime-updated-version-of-the2015-paper/

Varese F. Introduction to Special Issue Production, Trade and Governance: A New Definition of Organized Crime. European Journal of Sociology/Archives Européennes de Sociologie. 2025 Aug; 66(2):117-38.

This course is structured around a main lecture combined with discussions and interactive exchanges based on the assigned readings. In addition to that, the Teaching Assistants will animate two tutorials to provide guidance on the midterm exam and the final essay.

Every week students are expected to study the ‘required readings’ and engage in class discussion.

The course is assessed by a midterm exam and a final essay.

• The midterm (30%) will be based on exam questions to be answered in a take-home, typed exam. The exam is in English.
• The Final Essay (70%) consists of a single essay, to be written in an on-site exam lasting three hours. The exam is in English and will take place during one day in Exam Week (December 11-18).