The phenomenon of usury: the dark side of the credit market (1997)
Usury has ancient origins. Today, the phenomenon has taken on different connotations, being characterised both by the high interest in the money lent and, above all, by its violent and intimidating nature. Usury is an atypical crime in which the relationship between the usurer and the borrower is not immediately violent and extortionate but is instead structured in formal contractual terms. According to research on the subject, there are different usurers: the micro-usurer, the professional and the criminal organisation. Thus, usury becomes a ground between common and organised crime, marking the transition and the intertwining of legality and illegality. Eurispes has carried out a survey to identify the dynamics and paths characterising usury under the patronage of the Government’s Extraordinary Commissioner for the coordination of anti-rocket and anti-usury actions.
Index
Contents
Volume I
Introduction
Chapter 1. Scenario analysis
Economic analysis
Estimates
The economic analysis of the usury market and indirect indicators
The Italian productive system
The causes of the fragility of small enterprises
Indirect indicators of the size of the usury market
Repression of the phenomenon: reports and arrests for usury
Legislative Analysis
The evolution of the phenomenon of usury
Legislation prior to Law 108/96
Commentary on Law 108/96
Usury in foreign legislations
Chapter 2. Sample survey “The phenomenon of usury: the hidden side of the credit market”.
Sampling
The sampling relative to the individual path
The socio-economic context
The factors that determine success
The perception of the phenomenon of usury
Usury and the credit market
Usury criminality and institutions
Usury and civil society
The Individual Path
Chapter 3. Sample survey “Young people and the culture of money”.
Introduction
Sampling
Young People, Money and Work
Relationship with money and family habits
Purchasing habits
Borrowing in the habits of young people
Young People and the Perception of Usury
Chapter 4. Anti-Racket and Anti-Usury Associations and Foundations
The Sample Survey
Survey forms
Chapter 5. Usury through the Press
Introduction
Quantitative Analysis
Institutions and Usury
Public Administration and Usury
Credit system and usury
Civil Society and Usury
Crime and usury
Areas of criticality
Volume II
Appendix
Statistical elaboration:
The phenomenon of usury: the hidden side of the credit market
Young people and the culture of money
Bibliography