HairyKnuckles wrote:Usually, the underboss is the one who is the closest to the boss. He shares the boss´s views in many things. Because the position is appointed by the boss, he can choose someone he feels comfortable with as his second in command. The underboss is supposed to act in the boss´s place whenever it´s needed, if the boss is temporarily incapacitated for example it´s the underboss´s function to meet with the captains or meet with bosses of other Families. In many ways, the underboss is the alter ego of the boss. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Sometimes, the boss appoints a leader of a powerful opposing faction as his number two, to please two wings of the Family. That has to do with the gruop dynamics within a Family. Some could argue that having two rival factions in a Family represented by the boss and the underboss respectively is a smart move. But It´s my opinion that strong leadership starts with the boss/underboss and having an underboss who represents different policy views undermines the boss´s authority. This can result in clashes, just like the one we saw with the Castellano and Dellacroce/Gotti factions.
One more thing, the underboss, due to his closeness to the boss, was not meant to be part of the administration. The original idea of an administration is to make big decisions using consensus. If the underboss is the boss´s alter ego, that would mean the boss´s view would prevail most of the times during voting for example. So the administration would normally (back in the day) consist of the boss, the consigliere and a number of powerful captains. And according to Bill Bonanno, although member of the administration, the consigliere had no vote at the administration meetings, probably because his closeness to the troops, especially the captains. I don´t know when the inner workings and rules of a Family administration changed (if it did at all) but it is said that the administration of a Family today, consists of the boss, the underboss and the consigliere.
Thanks HK! I really feel like the political dynamic is what the underboss does for the family. But in terms of the other roles such as acting in the bosses place temporarily, and not voting in admin meetings, couldn't that be all covered by the consigliere?
I mean, it seemed like families appointed street bosses and acting bosses when the boss couldn't be around, but also made sure there was at least an acting underboss (like Paul Vario at some point right?), which means that the role of the underboss seemed to be really necessary day-to-day, yet was significantly different than the street/acting/front boss(es).
What might those differences be?
