It is in these more diverse groups that I believe the protection industry actually originated. Each member counted on the group as a whole for reputation and support and then acted as guarantor-protector in a cartel arrangement. Thus, the mafioso protecting millers, whether or not he was a miller himself, was also part of another group, the local mafia, which incorporated people involved in different occupations who provided the same service.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 221