The construction of the mafioso social capital and the Sack of Palermo (2023)

This work will focus on the social capital the Mafia had at its disposal, that is, on the web of relations that made the Sack of Palermo possible. Second, the Sack of Palermo had a negative impact on the social and economic make-up of the borgate: All the agricultural and fishing capacities were destroyed; the close-knit relations tying together the local community were wiped away as most locals themselves also moved into the new buildings; lastly, no amenities were built to improve the quality of life of the newly built areas. The Sack of Palermo was launched by Salvo Lima, Palermo's Christian Democrat mayor in the late 1950s, with the slogan Palermo bella, facciamola più bella. In November 1984, after his declaration had led to the arrest of the ex-mayor of Palermo Vito Ciancimino, one of the main protagonists of the Sack, unemployed construction workers took to the streets in Palermo. Isn't there a bit of racism here? The Mafia?! C'mon, the Mafia is everywhere corruption, bribery, street crimes and they made a fuss of what happened in Palermo ? There is something I don't understand here or that I understand too well [W8]. This mindset, which is still popular among some residents of Palermo, combining indifference and conspiracy theory, allowed the Mafia to thrive for more than 40 years in Palermo. The demand for new housing, as well as the quest for social status and progress, facilitated by the mediation of the Mafia, resulted in the Sack of Palermo. The consequences of the Sack of Palermo still determine living conditions in the Sicilian capital today.