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You're right, of course. But, as far as I can tell (and I only really know about the mafia from movies and TV, so correct me if I'm wrong), violence is the FIRST resort of the mafia. If you don't pay, they'll burn down your store/shoot your dog/whatever. The government will first act in non-violent ways, then in ways that do not cause physical injury (necessarily at least), and only use physical force as a last resort. Perhaps it doesn't indicate a difference in kind between the mafia and the government, but it does indicate some sort of significant difference.
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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