The nature of traditional societies in Mediterranean countries and the effect on those societies brought about in the twentieth century, have long been debated; but in general these debates has started from an assumption of the relatively homogenous nature of traditional peasant society. In this book Pino Arlacchi demolishes that assumption by demonstrating that within the Italian region of Calabria there existed not one but a range of 'traditional' societies. This book will be of interest to a wide range of sociologists, anthropologists, historians and development economists concerned with the nature of traditional societies and the impact of modernisation on them. Written in a vivd style and offering fascinating insights into the people and history of Calabria, the book will also appeal to general readers interested in the Italian south and the mafia.