Los orígenes de las mafias italianas en la Argentina: una mirada a través de la prensa

Abstract

According to the theoretical model developed by N. Dalla Chiesa (2015), the classical notion of mafia implies at least four requirements, namely: i) the resort to violence in the resolution of conflicts; ii) the control of the territory; iii) the system of personal dependency relationships; and iv) organic relations with politics. In order to advance the discussion on the same topic in Argentina, we ask ourselves to what extent this theoretical model is useful to postulate – or not – the very existence of Italian mafias in the Southern country. To approach this question, we look for answers in three types of sources that put ethnic, political as well as class interests in relative tension. The results, albeit partial, reveal elements of interest that suggest the existence of Italian mafias in Argentina from the very beginning of the 20th century.