To merit the title of mafioso it is not sufficient simply to use violence or commit a crime in Sicily, to belong to a fraternity or guild, or to have a particular occupation. These attributes do not in themselves axiomatically add up to the definition of a mafioso. We are looking for characters who specialize in protection, not for violent entrepreneurs but for entrepreneurs of violence. Moreover, we are looking not for protectors who are systematically dependent on only one parry to a given transaction bur for those who can choose to serve the interests of the more profitable side.

DEFINE: Sharpens the definition of mafioso: a specialist who sells protection and can choose which side to serve, distinct from mere criminals or guild members.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 195