Description
Goffredo Adinolfi’s scholarly work provides a detailed examination of Italy’s pivotal transition from liberal democracy to fascist authoritarianism during the years 1919-1924. The book traces how the emergence of mass-based political parties fundamentally challenged the established liberal order that had governed Italy since unification.
Adinolfi argues that liberal Italy’s institutional weaknesses and inability to effectively incorporate mass participation created a political vacuum. The study explores how various mass parties, including socialists, catholics, and fascists, mobilized unprecedented numbers of supporters during this turbulent period. Rather than strengthening democracy, these movements fragmented the political landscape and destabilized parliamentary governance.
The work offers crucial insights into how fascism emerged not as an anomaly but as a response to systemic failures of liberal institutions. By examining party organization, electoral dynamics, and social mobilization, Adinolfi illuminates the mechanisms through which fascism rose to power. This element in the History and Politics of Fascism series provides essential context for understanding how modern authoritarian movements exploit institutional instability.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.