Contrary to accepted opinion, however, there is no evidence that policing the peasants provided the first significant opportunity for the autonomization of the protection industry. Peasants were numerous and expendable, weak and disorganized; their rebellions were fragmented and desperate; for many years they had no plans, leaders, or unions. The organization of tabor relations in the southern latifundia actually deprived the peasantry of virtually all bargaining power.

QUESTION: What then provided the first significant opportunity for the autonomy/autonomization of the protection industry, if not peasant policing?

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 228