Fascism: Principles, Dictatorship, Economy, and Society in Italy

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Fascism: A Political Model

Fascism is a political model that first emerged in interwar Germany and Italy.

Principles

  • Exacerbated nationalism with a racist component: This promotes the preservation and exaltation of race as a factor to guarantee basic cohesive national unity.
  • Exaltation of the state: Individual rights and freedoms are subordinated to the interests of the state.
  • Rejection of democracy and liberalism: This denies the principle of equality among all citizens, popular sovereignty, and suffrage. It also suppresses opposition and the parliamentary system.
  • Cult of the leader: This involves distrust of reason and the legitimization of violence.

Fascist Dictatorship in Italy

Causes

  • During World War I, the cost of living in Italy increased more than wages, leading to a high level of social unrest.
  • Vagueness and social movements, including the occupation of lands, fueled a fear of Bolshevism.
  • An unstable monarchy and five different governments in three years contributed to the instability.
  • Exalted nationalism was fueled by the desire to recover unredeemed territories.

Dictatorship

In 1925, Mussolini initiated a process to transform Italy into a totalitarian state, where he held all power. In 1926, he prohibited all parties except the Fascist party and all trade unions except the Fascist ones. In 1928, the parliament became dependent on the Fascist Grand Council. In 1929, he formed the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations, where authorities chose provincial and municipal representatives. He also created a political police force (OVRA) to pursue opponents. The signing of the Lateran Pact in 1929 re-established relations with the Church. Mussolini promoted remilitarization and campaigned to regain unredeemed territories. He also sought to expand Italy's colonial possessions in Europe and Africa.

Fascism and the Economy

Fascism involved strong state interventionism, aiming to protect domestic industry and achieve economic autonomy. Protectionist policies were adopted, even authorizing indispensable imports. Autarkic policies led to a renewal of national industry, but production was often expensive and of low quality. The government invested in public works to curb unemployment.

Fascist Society

The Opera Nazionale Balilla was created, requiring all children to participate until adulthood. Teachers were required to wear black shirts, and university professors had to swear allegiance to the regime. Catholicism was the official religion, divorce was prohibited, and religious education was mandatory. Newspapers and books were impregnated with Fascist values.

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