Difference Between Mob & Mafia

Mob vs Mafia

The distinction between mob and mafia primarily lies in the ethnic background of these two groups of people. You may be familiar with the mafia if you have seen the Godfather series of Hollywood movies. The mafia refers to an underground, organized criminal syndicate that originated in Sicily, Italy. Conversely, the term mob refers to criminal gangs involved in similar illegal activities. While many similarities exist between the two terms, and some people consider them to be synonymous, there are distinct differences between them.

What is Mafia?

The origin of the word Mafia is debated. In the Arabic language, the word mafia means refuge. In the 9th century, Sicily was occupied and ruled by Arabs. The natives were oppressed, and to escape the tyrannical rule, they sought refuge in the hills of the islands found in Sicily. Various other invaders, such as Normans, French, Spanish, Germans, Austrians, and Greeks, occupied Sicily at different times, and these refugees created a sense of brotherhood and unification. The organizations they formed were hierarchical in nature, and their dons were the heads of the families. They were the leaders of the mafias in a village or a small territory. Mafia members have always had to undergo several oaths, including a code of silence, obedience to the boss, assistance, and vengeance. Mafia members are also advised to stay clear of authorities. The Mafia is engaged in various illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, arms, extortion, prostitution, and more.

The Mafia grew in influence and strength during the 19th and 20th centuries. It became a criminal society and a syndicate in itself. They followed their own authority and clashed with the administration. Joining the Mafia was similar to adopting a religion, and once a person became a member, they could not retire and had to remain faithful in all circumstances. Those who have tried to turn informers have met violent deaths at the hands of the Mafia.

The spread of the Mafia in the US is due to the immigration of some Mafia family members to New York in the late 20th century. The first to arrive in New York was Don Vito Cascio Ferro, but many others followed when Mussolini in Italy led a crackdown on the Mafia. There were lucrative opportunities for the Mafia in the US, and they expanded by recruiting local henchmen and other criminals. Many more Sicilians residing in New York joined the movement. The Mafia in the US ran an extortion and protection racket but also engaged in bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling.

What is Mob?

The term mob is a generic term applied to individuals engaged in criminal activities in an organized manner. While the Mafia has traditionally referred to criminals belonging to Sicilian families involved in unlawful activities, the term mob has no such restriction and people of all backgrounds, regardless of their ethnicity, are termed as mob. You may have heard terms like Irish mob, Russian mob, etc. You could say that the Mafia is a mob, but you cannot say a mob is the Mafia. A mob does not have an organized structure that determines everyone’s duty. To become the leader of a mob, one can kill the leader and seize power. Additionally, most of the time, mob leaders do not reveal their identity. They lead a secretive life to carry out illegal businesses without a problem.

What is the difference between Mob and Mafia?

• Traditionally, the Mafia has referred to criminals belonging to Sicilian families involved in unlawful activities. Nowadays, this term also refers to crime rings operating from Italy and the US. In contrast, the term mob has no such restriction, and people of all backgrounds, regardless of their ethnicity, are termed as mob.
• The Mafia is a mob, but you cannot say the mob is the Mafia.
• Another difference lies in the way the Mafia is structured. The Mafia always has a hierarchical structure, and the head is often the eldest member of the family, who is also referred to as the Don. Members rise from rank and file based on their performance and closeness to those who matter in the Mafia.
• Conversely, a mob does not have a hierarchical structure, and there is no allegiance to a single family.
• Leadership can change with assassination in a mob at any point in time. However, in the Mafia, even the assassination of the Don simply means the passage of authority to the next person in the hierarchy.
• The mob is more shrouded in mystery, whereas, in a mafia, one is at least sure of power centers.
• Another difference between the Mafia and the mob pertains to the secrecy maintained by mob leaders. While mob leaders avoid all contacts with the authorities and lead an anonymous life, the Dons of mafia families are known entities, and they somehow seem to avoid brushes with authorities. They are visible, unlike leaders of mobs.

Key Takeaways

• The Mafia refers to an underground, organized criminal syndicate originating in Sicily, Italy, while the term mob is a generic term for individuals engaged in organized criminal activities.
• The Mafia has a hierarchical structure with a head, or Don, whereas a mob does not have a hierarchical structure and no allegiance to a single family.
• While mob leaders maintain secrecy and lead an anonymous life, the Dons of mafia families are known entities who manage to avoid brushes with authorities but remain visible.