NCJ Number
186524
Date Published
2000
Length
31 pages
Annotation
In order to understand the control of State crime in contemporary Italy, the authors briefly reconstruct the evolution of State crime in the country, look at mechanisms favoring the widespread diffusion of political and bureaucratic illegality, and examine effective ways of preventing State crime.
Abstract
Based on past episodes, State crime in Italy seems to be concentrated in the following areas: secret service involvement in terrorism and subversion, cover-ups of illegal activities by political leaders, administrative and political corruption, and collusion of State sectors with criminal organizations such as the Sicilian Mafia. For more than 40 years, the history of controlling State crime in Italy has consisted of political cover-ups and obstruction rather than successes. Factors that have affected the pervasive influence of illegal activities are noted, such as the expansion of the public sphere, Italy's system of bureaucratic and legal controls, and the role of political competition and public opinion. Reform perspectives associated with State crime control are addressed, primarily in the context of dealing with and preventing government corruption and inefficiency. 20 notes