The fact remains that there are no applicants for the job. Such is the degree of collusion both within the market and between market agents and local authorities that barriers to entry need not be violent. The reputation of the fish market among other dealers in the city is that anyone trying to break into it would go the way of the fish, but in reverse. This reputation has sufficed throughout the years; there is still no record of violence connected with the market. The commission referred to the situation as pax mafiosa (CPM-RMI: 94), and there is nothing to indicate that the description needs to be revised.

DEFINE: The term 'pax mafiosa' (mafia peace) is introduced to describe a collusive market equilibrium sustained by reputation rather than violence.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 540