Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
The enigma of how ordinary people related to would-be totalitarian regimes is still far from being resolved. The tension between repression and consensus renders analysis difficult; where one ends ...
More
The enigma of how ordinary people related to would-be totalitarian regimes is still far from being resolved. The tension between repression and consensus renders analysis difficult; where one ends and the other begins is never easy to determine. In the case of fascist Italy, recent scholarship has tended to tilt the balance in favour of popular consensus for the regime, identifying in the ideological and cultural aspects of Mussolini's rule a ‘political religion’ which bound the population to the fascist leader. This book presents a different picture. While in no way underestimating the force of ideological factors, the book argues that ‘real existing Fascism’, as lived by a large part of the population, was in fact an increasingly negative experience and reflected few of those colourful and attractive features of fascist propaganda which have induced more favourable interpretations of the regime. Distinguishing clearly between the fascist project and its realisation, the study examines the ways in which the fascist party asserted itself at the local level in the widely-differing areas of Italy, at its corruption and malfunctioning, and at the mounting wave of popular resentment against it during the course of the 1930s which, in effect, signalled the failure of the project. The study, based largely on archival material, concludes by suggesting that the abuse of power by fascists at the local level mirrors a wider problem related to the utilisation of power within Italy, both past and present.Less
The enigma of how ordinary people related to would-be totalitarian regimes is still far from being resolved. The tension between repression and consensus renders analysis difficult; where one ends and the other begins is never easy to determine. In the case of fascist Italy, recent scholarship has tended to tilt the balance in favour of popular consensus for the regime, identifying in the ideological and cultural aspects of Mussolini's rule a ‘political religion’ which bound the population to the fascist leader. This book presents a different picture. While in no way underestimating the force of ideological factors, the book argues that ‘real existing Fascism’, as lived by a large part of the population, was in fact an increasingly negative experience and reflected few of those colourful and attractive features of fascist propaganda which have induced more favourable interpretations of the regime. Distinguishing clearly between the fascist project and its realisation, the study examines the ways in which the fascist party asserted itself at the local level in the widely-differing areas of Italy, at its corruption and malfunctioning, and at the mounting wave of popular resentment against it during the course of the 1930s which, in effect, signalled the failure of the project. The study, based largely on archival material, concludes by suggesting that the abuse of power by fascists at the local level mirrors a wider problem related to the utilisation of power within Italy, both past and present.
Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.003.0005
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
The chapter analyses the structure of power in the provinces, following the establishment of the regime in 1925. It charts the reorganisation of local administration under the podestà (the fascist ...
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The chapter analyses the structure of power in the provinces, following the establishment of the regime in 1925. It charts the reorganisation of local administration under the podestà (the fascist mayor), the role of the fascist party federations (PNF) under the local leader (the segretario federale), and the position of the prefect. Themes emerging from the chapter are those of the conflict between State and fascist party authorities at the local level, reflecting the reluctance of local fascists to recognise that they were no longer the dominant force in their locality, and the difficulties of exercising control from the centre. The chapter concludes with an examination of the quality of local fascist personnel available for office — generally very poor.Less
The chapter analyses the structure of power in the provinces, following the establishment of the regime in 1925. It charts the reorganisation of local administration under the podestà (the fascist mayor), the role of the fascist party federations (PNF) under the local leader (the segretario federale), and the position of the prefect. Themes emerging from the chapter are those of the conflict between State and fascist party authorities at the local level, reflecting the reluctance of local fascists to recognise that they were no longer the dominant force in their locality, and the difficulties of exercising control from the centre. The chapter concludes with an examination of the quality of local fascist personnel available for office — generally very poor.
Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
The chapter deals with the internal workings of provincial fascist party organisations and highlights the degree to which many local federations were characterised by permanent factionalism and ...
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The chapter deals with the internal workings of provincial fascist party organisations and highlights the degree to which many local federations were characterised by permanent factionalism and infighting (beghismo) among the local fascists. It looks at the strategies which central party organs adopted in the attempt to control local factionalism but concludes that such strategies were often unsuccessful because the struggle for local power always remained very strong. The chapter also examines the ways in which this factionalism often hindered and even paralysed the operations of the local party and discouraged participation in politics. It ends with a brief comparison of the roles of the PNF in Italy and the NSDAP in Nazi Germany at the local level.Less
The chapter deals with the internal workings of provincial fascist party organisations and highlights the degree to which many local federations were characterised by permanent factionalism and infighting (beghismo) among the local fascists. It looks at the strategies which central party organs adopted in the attempt to control local factionalism but concludes that such strategies were often unsuccessful because the struggle for local power always remained very strong. The chapter also examines the ways in which this factionalism often hindered and even paralysed the operations of the local party and discouraged participation in politics. It ends with a brief comparison of the roles of the PNF in Italy and the NSDAP in Nazi Germany at the local level.
Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.003.0011
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
The chapter examines the cult of the Duce, generated during the 1930s, and then looks at the decline in Mussolini's popularity in the closing years of the 1930s and of the awareness among fascists of ...
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The chapter examines the cult of the Duce, generated during the 1930s, and then looks at the decline in Mussolini's popularity in the closing years of the 1930s and of the awareness among fascists of the implications of this decline for the future of the regime. It surveys the state of popular opinion during the period of non-belligerence and examines the ever-increasing hostility of the population to the regime. The inability of the fascist party to react to this hostility, either at local or at national level, is analysed, as is the growing criticism of the actions of the fascist party by party officials themselves. The chapter concludes with evidence of the failure of the party to realise its declared objectivesLess
The chapter examines the cult of the Duce, generated during the 1930s, and then looks at the decline in Mussolini's popularity in the closing years of the 1930s and of the awareness among fascists of the implications of this decline for the future of the regime. It surveys the state of popular opinion during the period of non-belligerence and examines the ever-increasing hostility of the population to the regime. The inability of the fascist party to react to this hostility, either at local or at national level, is analysed, as is the growing criticism of the actions of the fascist party by party officials themselves. The chapter concludes with evidence of the failure of the party to realise its declared objectives
Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.003.0004
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
Chapter 3 examines the manner in which Mussolini came to terms with the intransigent provincial leaders following the Matteotti crisi and analyses the stabilisation of the dictatorship under party ...
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Chapter 3 examines the manner in which Mussolini came to terms with the intransigent provincial leaders following the Matteotti crisi and analyses the stabilisation of the dictatorship under party secretaries Roberto Farinacci and Augusto Turati in the years 1925–30. It shows how discipline was re-established in the fascist ranks and how attempts were made to bring wayward provincial fascist organisations under central control. The chapter stresses the degree to which, despite these efforts, the local and provincial profile of the fascist movement remained strong, reflecting the interests and ambitions of a large number of the provincial fascist rank and file.Less
Chapter 3 examines the manner in which Mussolini came to terms with the intransigent provincial leaders following the Matteotti crisi and analyses the stabilisation of the dictatorship under party secretaries Roberto Farinacci and Augusto Turati in the years 1925–30. It shows how discipline was re-established in the fascist ranks and how attempts were made to bring wayward provincial fascist organisations under central control. The chapter stresses the degree to which, despite these efforts, the local and provincial profile of the fascist movement remained strong, reflecting the interests and ambitions of a large number of the provincial fascist rank and file.
Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.003.0008
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
After a brief survey of the sources available for the assessment of popular opinion under the regime, the chapter examines the growing divide which developed during the 1930s between the regime and a ...
More
After a brief survey of the sources available for the assessment of popular opinion under the regime, the chapter examines the growing divide which developed during the 1930s between the regime and a large part of the population. This is related in the text to the image of the PNF at local level and to the arrogant and corrupt behaviour of many of the local fascist leaders. The chapter looks at the responses of the population to the invasion and conquest of Ethiopia in 1935-6 and concludes that, contrary to general opinion, the acquisition of Empire did not substantially repair the growing disaffection with the regime or heal the rift between the fascist party and the people.Less
After a brief survey of the sources available for the assessment of popular opinion under the regime, the chapter examines the growing divide which developed during the 1930s between the regime and a large part of the population. This is related in the text to the image of the PNF at local level and to the arrogant and corrupt behaviour of many of the local fascist leaders. The chapter looks at the responses of the population to the invasion and conquest of Ethiopia in 1935-6 and concludes that, contrary to general opinion, the acquisition of Empire did not substantially repair the growing disaffection with the regime or heal the rift between the fascist party and the people.
Paul Corner
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198730699
- eISBN:
- 9780191741753
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198730699.003.0012
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
The concluding chapter summarises the various ways in which the fascist party failed in its objectives of national transformation. It argues that the party was central to fascist objectives and that ...
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The concluding chapter summarises the various ways in which the fascist party failed in its objectives of national transformation. It argues that the party was central to fascist objectives and that the failure of the party signified, in effect, the failure of Fascism. Lack of success is linked to a weak political message and to the unhappy relationship between local and national, with local fascists following narrow, parochial, and personal priorities rather than national, public, objectives, usually to the detriment of the regime, and the central authorities unable to dominate totally these tendencies. The chapter ends with some observations on the fact that, in Italy, use of political power for private ends has not been confined to the fascist period.Less
The concluding chapter summarises the various ways in which the fascist party failed in its objectives of national transformation. It argues that the party was central to fascist objectives and that the failure of the party signified, in effect, the failure of Fascism. Lack of success is linked to a weak political message and to the unhappy relationship between local and national, with local fascists following narrow, parochial, and personal priorities rather than national, public, objectives, usually to the detriment of the regime, and the central authorities unable to dominate totally these tendencies. The chapter ends with some observations on the fact that, in Italy, use of political power for private ends has not been confined to the fascist period.
Elisabeth Carter
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719070488
- eISBN:
- 9781781701966
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719070488.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, European Union
This chapter describes the concept of right-wing extremism. It addresses the existing studies that have sought to show the diversity that exists among the West European parties of the extreme right. ...
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This chapter describes the concept of right-wing extremism. It addresses the existing studies that have sought to show the diversity that exists among the West European parties of the extreme right. It then develops an alternative typology of right-wing extremist parties. Right-wing extremism is defined by two anti-constitutional and anti-democratic elements. Right-wing extremist parties can be divided into three categories according to their attitudes on race. The contemporary right-wing extremist parties of Western Europe can also be categorized into three groups according to the kind of attitudes they have towards democracy, parliamentarism and pluralism. The types of right-wing extremist party include neo-Nazi parties, neo-fascist parties, authoritarian xenophobic parties, neo-liberal xenophobic parties, and neo-liberal populist parties. It is suggested that the type of ideology to which the different parties of the extreme right adhere is quite likely to help account for their levels of electoral success.Less
This chapter describes the concept of right-wing extremism. It addresses the existing studies that have sought to show the diversity that exists among the West European parties of the extreme right. It then develops an alternative typology of right-wing extremist parties. Right-wing extremism is defined by two anti-constitutional and anti-democratic elements. Right-wing extremist parties can be divided into three categories according to their attitudes on race. The contemporary right-wing extremist parties of Western Europe can also be categorized into three groups according to the kind of attitudes they have towards democracy, parliamentarism and pluralism. The types of right-wing extremist party include neo-Nazi parties, neo-fascist parties, authoritarian xenophobic parties, neo-liberal xenophobic parties, and neo-liberal populist parties. It is suggested that the type of ideology to which the different parties of the extreme right adhere is quite likely to help account for their levels of electoral success.
Frank M. Snowden
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300108996
- eISBN:
- 9780300128437
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300108996.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
This chapter shows how antimalarial campaigning formed a central part of Fascist domestic policy, involving both the substance of the regime and the image it sought to project to the world. Here it ...
More
This chapter shows how antimalarial campaigning formed a central part of Fascist domestic policy, involving both the substance of the regime and the image it sought to project to the world. Here it is important to recall that Mussolini's movement spent nearly a decade completing its seizure of power after the Blackshirts' famous March on Rome in October 1922. Thereafter the Fascists achieved full political control by a series of incremental measures. Their cumulative effect was to abolish elections, destroy democracy and parliamentary rule, outlaw competing political parties and trade unions, “fascisticize” the state apparatus by placing party members in all key posts, and reach an accommodation with the Roman Catholic Church. Only at the end of this process, in late 1928–1929, did Mussolini and the Fascist Party find themselves in a sufficiently totalitarian position to define the new society that was to replace the liberal social order.Less
This chapter shows how antimalarial campaigning formed a central part of Fascist domestic policy, involving both the substance of the regime and the image it sought to project to the world. Here it is important to recall that Mussolini's movement spent nearly a decade completing its seizure of power after the Blackshirts' famous March on Rome in October 1922. Thereafter the Fascists achieved full political control by a series of incremental measures. Their cumulative effect was to abolish elections, destroy democracy and parliamentary rule, outlaw competing political parties and trade unions, “fascisticize” the state apparatus by placing party members in all key posts, and reach an accommodation with the Roman Catholic Church. Only at the end of this process, in late 1928–1929, did Mussolini and the Fascist Party find themselves in a sufficiently totalitarian position to define the new society that was to replace the liberal social order.