Godfather

Ojciec chrzestny Don Vito Corleone film kino gangsterzy Marlon Brando Foto: Materiały prasowe Newsweek

A mafia leader, commonly called a godfather, is a person who stands alone at the head of an organized crime group with great influence, connections with people at various levels of government, the police, business, etc.

A mafia godfather usually has absolute control over his subordinates, who are usually obligated to risk their lives for him.

His influence and the benefits of the criminal activities in which his organization, also known as the family, is involved, raise great concerns in society - due to his dominant role and radical methods of governance.

It is the godfather who has the sole right to decide whether the candidate will be accepted into the family and can place him or her in the organizational/family hierarchy at his or her discretion.

Individual groups of believers in the family are commanded by captains who, as leaders of these groups, must carry out the orders of the godfather in the districts assigned to them.

Simple family members, on the other hand, are the so-called soldiers, without any decision-making rights, but of course with active and pre-established voting rights.

Individuals at all levels are constantly tested for their loyalty to their godfather. Anyone can turn to him for advice and assistance, but this requires an oath of undying loyalty and service.

Of course, this description of the godfather could also apply to dictators of all stripes and semi-democratic leaders. However, I leave any interpretations and possible analogies to the reader's imagination.