Editing Mafia (section)

===Commission===
Main article: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia_Commission Sicilian Mafia Commission]Since the 1950s, the Mafia has maintained multiple commissions to resolve disputes and promote cooperation among clans. Each province of Sicily has its own Commission. Clans are organized into districts (''mandamenti'') of three or four geographically adjacent clans. Each district elects a representative (''capo mandamento'') to sit on its Provincial Commission.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Paoli._p._53_110-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-Paoli._p._53-110 [110]]</sup>

Contrary to popular belief, the commissions do not serve as a centralized government for the Mafia. The power of the commissions are limited and clans are autonomous and independent. Rather, each Commission serves as a representative mechanism for consultation of independent clans who decide by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus consensus]. "Contrary to the wide-spread image presented by the media, these superordinate bodies of coordination cannot be compared with the executive boards of major legal firms. Their power is intentionally limited. And it would be entirely wrong to see in the ''Cosa Nostra'' a centrally managed, internationally active Mafia holding company," according to criminologist Letizia Paoli.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mpr0204_111-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-mpr0204-111 [111]]</sup>

A major function of the Commission is to regulate the use of violence.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Paoli._p._53_110-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-Paoli._p._53-110 [110]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSicilianMafia114_112-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-TheSicilianMafia114-112 [112]]</sup> For instance, a mafioso who wants to commit a murder in another clan's territory must ask the permission of the local boss; the commission enforces this rule.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSicilianMafia114_112-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-TheSicilianMafia114-112 [112]]</sup> Any murder of a mafioso or prominent individual (police, lawyers, politicians, journalists, etc.) must be approved by the commission.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-113">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-113 [113]]</sup> Such acts can potentially upset other clans and spark a war, so the Commission provides a means by which to obtain their approval.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-114">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-114 [114]]</sup>

The Commission also deals with matters of succession. When a boss dies or retires, his clan's reputation often crumbles with his departure. This can cause clients to abandon the clan and turn to neighboring clans for protection. These clans would grow greatly in status and power relative to their rivals, potentially destabilizing the region and precipitating war.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSicilianMafia115_115-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-TheSicilianMafia115-115 [115]]</sup> The Commission may choose to divide up the clan's territory and members among its neighbors. Alternatively, the commission has the power to appoint a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regent regent] for the clan until it can elect a new boss.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSicilianMafia115_115-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-TheSicilianMafia115-115 [115]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-116">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia#cite_note-116 [116]]</sup>