Gangsters and Other Statesmen: Mafia, Separatists, and Torn States in a Globalized World.

• Author: Knox, Allison G. S.

Danilo Mandic. Gangsters and Other Statesmen: Mafia, Separatists, and Torn States in a Globalized World. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2021, Hardcover, 282 pages.

The study of power is a particularly important concept to understanding security issues, domestic and international politics. The political arena is a constant push and pull of power struggles lending itself to numerous diplomatic measures and policy development. The study of power consists of the interactions of people and the subsequent developments of communities on an individual, state and global scale. Facets of power are particularly interesting to research and explore.

In many senses, political scientists focus on the myriad factors in a society that affect the political structures and political developments. Simply put, these factors are important considerations. Most social scientists, however, understand that there are many other communities that affect political outcomes and government organizations. Gangsters and Other Statesmen: Mafia, Separatists and Torn States in a Globalized World by Danilo Mandic is a fascinating look at globalization and the role that organized crime plays in torn nations and globalization. Mandic's perspective provides a unique lens into the effects of organized crime in the international political arena. Mandic's lens focuses on the role of organized crime in stabilizing problematic nations and conversely, their role in the breakdown of nation states in the international political arena. Mandic describes mafias and organized crime as being transnational making them a particularly interesting factor in international politics. Mandic writes

Mafias can undermine both conflict resolution, (which may reimpose clear and border control) and conflict escalation (which may further destabilize the existing, lucrative lack of jurisdiction, law and order). Alternatively, they can co-op or support the separatist movement, hedging bets on a newly emerging polity where the criminal fiefdom can reign supreme under a novel, sovereign political umbrella. Finally, they can co-opt or support the host state in crushing separatists, hoping for a return to the initial environment with which they are familiar and comfortable. Such an opportunity structure affords mafias exceptional power," (p. 6). Mandic's perspective illuminates organized crime as an important factor to consider in the intricate web of international politics.

Mandic takes a...