Corruption and Organized Crime: Some Lessons from the Italian Concept of "External Conspiracy in Mafia Association".

The article focuses on the relationship between corruption and organized crime, particularly through the lens of the Italian legal concept of "external conspiracy in Mafia association" (concorso esterno in associazione mafiosa). It argues that corruption is often misunderstood as solely a public sector issue, while it also permeates the private sector, where individuals knowingly engage with criminal organizations for personal gain. The piece highlights how this complicity can manifest in various professions, leading to a blurred line between legal and illegal activities, and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of corruption to effectively combat organized crime. The author calls for a reevaluation of the motivations behind such complicity and the implications for societal norms and legal frameworks. [Extracted from the article]