The Normalization of Mafia’s Deviance for Survival

On October 2013, Rudy Espudo, involved in the Mexican Mafia, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in drug distribution and violent crimes. Espudo recruited different groups to partake in drug trafficking, violence, and the distribution of it while obtaining the protection under the “La Eme”. Espudo created a hierarchy within “Le Eme’s” community; he was considered one of the people in a powerful position that controlled who is protected and who is not. The mafia is a community that is surrounded by violence and crime that they see it as part of their daily lives. It is considered a form of deviance in today’s society because they participate in these acts for survival. The people …show more content…
In order to remain fearful to others, Espudo established a tactic that marks “La Eme” as fearful. “La Eme” created a system amongst their community that they need to pay taxes in order to be under the protection and take part in their drug trafficking. They create a social order to stabilize and keep everything flowing in order for things to work out. In Roy’s article, he brings up that these underworld businesses give services to those elites, such as campaign expenses. Influencing politics and anything international that they can provide. (1977) By doing this for people in high positions, in return they give protection to the mafia. (McIllwain, 1999) This protection could help with many of the mass production with drug trafficking and getting away with breaking the law. In these types of situations, they must develop a personal relationship within their gang so any help from the outside is unnecessary and keeps their organization secretive. They have the right people behind them, they will be able to do things without public outcry and getting caught by the law; Espudo was considered a celebrity, everyone feared getting on his bad side, which is how he got away with many things for so long. The mafia gains protection not only from the bigger organization but also from elitist that provides them with the protection from the law and when they no longer have that protection, …show more content…
In Ashforth’s article, he brings up that ones role in the group is more likely to shape learning into members. (2003; Ashforth forthcoming) Furthermore, Ashforth also displays a graph on the social cocoon to describe the social influence it has on corrupting these groups. The concept of the social cocoon has three routes, cooptation, incrementalism and compromise. In cooptation, whoever recently joins they are reward system, in Ashforth’s paper he uses the example of financial brokers who push offerings in order to get high commission. (2003) Espudo, rewards people by giving them protection against over mafias that is involve in their business. Incrementalism is when ones commitment that seem small and is not a harmful action, almost like an initiation until they get to the big actions that are more harmful. (2003) In “La Eme”, the taxes is the climbing ladder for the followers who pay their taxes and continue to show their support. They show fear by displaying the violent acts that can happen if you stop supporting them or by saying or doing the wrong thing; the person or group gets the green light by Espudo and they violently attack them either to deeply injure or