Nostalgia for Order: The Mafia's Role in Crime and Justice

This chapter reflects on the contrasting landscapes of crime and accountability between the past and present, particularly through the lens of old Las Vegas and mafia activity in cities like Chicago and New York. The discussion ponders whether the mafia’s influence served as a more effective deterrent to crime than modern law enforcement, while recounting personal anecdotes of danger within mafia environments. It critiques the current state of crime governance, the manipulation of crime statistics, and the shifting dynamics between organized crime and law enforcement over time.