Some Reflections on the Fascist legacy in Italy

Some Reflections from the Round Table at the Kick-Off Event F-Word: An anthropological exploration of fascist practices and meanings among European youth – 30 May 2024 University of Turin

Within the contemporary Italian political scene, the term “fascism” stirs a blend of historical reflection and current analysis. Its legacy, far from being a mere relic of the past, actively permeates both rhetoric and concrete political practices today. The journey from the anti-fascist resistance movement culminating in the Italian Republic to the present illustrates not merely a continuation of specific ideologies but a nuanced adaptation that reflects the dynamic nature of political beliefs and cultural identity. The persistent presence of far-right currents, evolving from historical fascism to modern iterations like the Movimento Sociale Italiano (MSI), Alleanza Nazionale (AN), and ultimately Fratelli d’Italia, underlines the complexity of fully disengaging from a fascist past. This dialogue explores the validity of “fascism” as a term in contemporary discussion, the legitimate association of current political practices with historical fascism, and the most palpable manifestations of fascist legacy in today’s Italy. Here, we delve into an integrated narrative, pieced together from various perspectives throughout our conversation.

Is the term “fascism” still suitable to describe current ideologies and political practices?

The term “fascism” retains its relevance in today’s Italian political context, not just in ideological analysis but also concerning contemporary political practices. The enduring presence of political entities that, explicitly or implicitly, draw upon historical fascism within the political sphere and democratic institutions suggests that this movement is not merely a historical residue but an active and structural element of Italian political culture.

Discussion about the term “fascism” in contemporary Italian political and cultural contexts necessitates critical analysis of its manifestations and associated terminology. The challenge of pinpointing what constitutes fascism in modern Italian society underscores the inherent complexity of this historical-political phenomenon, whose meaning has evolved and diversified over time. Research and reflections on terminological aspects illuminate the difficulty of fully understanding fascism and its current expressions through a contemporary lens.

This challenge arises in examining the distinctive traits of historical fascism and its reincarnation in political movements that, while possibly eschewing the “fascist” label, share certain ideological and practical characteristics, such as radical nationalism, authoritarianism, anti-egalitarianism, and anti-parliamentarianism.

In this perspective, the inquiry into the term “fascism” in Italy today gains both a historical and interpretive dimension, spotlighting how the understanding and use of this terminology influence public debate and the collective perception of far-right politics. A critical and differentiated approach to terminology is thus essential not merely for academic analysis accuracy but also for society and institutions’ capability to consciously tackle the challenges posed by the legacies of fascism in the 21st century.

The link between contemporary political practices and the legacy of fascism is deemed legitimate due to the continuity exhibited by certain ideologies and attitudes that, although evolving, maintain a connection to fascism. The shift from the anti-fascist resistance to establishing a Western democracy didn’t entirely uproot fascist ideological cores; instead, these ideologies transformed, continuing to influence Italian politics and culture and highlighting the complexity of severing ties with a fascist past entirely.

What are the most evident manifestations of the fascist legacy in today’s Italian society?

The most apparent manifestations of the fascist legacy in contemporary Italian society span various aspects, from political and institutional to cultural. The presence of parties and movements symbolically linked to fascism, the evocation of historical figures and periods, and the emergence of “nostalgism” depict a scenario where the fascist legacy acts not merely as historical memory but as an active element. Additionally, the of media and popular culture in reshaping and occasionally normalising fascist symbols and rhetoric underscores the constant negotiation with and instrumentalisation of fascism in modern culture.

The transformation from fascist Italy to the Republic, initiated by the Resistenza, marked a crucial moment in post-war Italy’s national identity formation process. This transition did not result in a clean break from the past but rather in the transformation and sometimes sublimation of fascist ideologies into new political and cultural formulations. Despite establishing a parliamentary democracy based on the anti-fascist principles enshrined in the 1948 Constitution, the ideological cores of fascism have continued to influence sections of Italian society, manifesting in more or less explicit forms of neo-fascism.

In the decades following the war, the Italian extra-parliamentary right underwent various phases, from its origins in the MSI, established by former members of the fascist regime, to its recent political incarnations. Despite efforts towards modernisation and normalisation, they never entirely distanced themselves from ideological and symbolic references to fascism. These parties attempted to reposition themselves within the Italian political spectrum by emphasising nationalism, security, identity, and sovereignty, often through rhetoric that echoes the authoritarian and anti-democratic tendencies of the past, albeit adapted to current times.

The fascist legacy, therefore, is not confined to the political realm but permeates culture and mentality in Italy in subtle yet significant ways. The enduring presence of a deeply rooted right-wing mentality within society can be explained by a combination of factors, including the inadequate collective processing of the fascist past and its crimes, the glorification of the Resistenza leaving many questions related to the fascist era unresolved, and the tendency to minimise or reinterpret the darker and more repressive aspects of the regime in favour of a nostalgic or revisionist view.

What about the F-Word then?

The term fascism, introduced to describe the ideology and political practices of Mussolini’s regime, continues to have considerable relevance in contemporary Italy, not only rhetorically but also in concrete political practices. Its persistence and renewal in various manifestations make the analysis of current political currents complex, soaked with references, explicit or not, to historical fascism.

The transition from the anti-fascist Resistance to the Italian Republic did not completely eradicate fascist ideological cores but rather saw their adaptation within a Western democracy. These ideological cores have continued to influence Italian politics, transforming and adapting but keeping certain ideological roots alive.

The post-World War II political history of Italy has been characterized by a constant, although complex, presence of extreme right currents. The post-war right-wing parties, from the Italian Social Movement to the National Alliance, up to recent political incarnations, are proof of a complicated legacy that, while adapting to the democratic context, has never completely renounced references to the fascist period.

Already at the dawn of the Republic, the birth of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) represented the most evident attempt to carry the legacy of fascism into a democratic context. The persistence of the MSI and then its transformation into the National Alliance (AN) under Gianfranco Fini’s leadership up to recent manifestations of parties like Brothers of Italy, demonstrate how fascist ideology has continued to exert a subtle but distinguishable influence on Italian politics, despite the change in nomenclature and political tactics.

The disparate evolution of these currents, from neo-fascist groups toward formations that present themselves as democratically integrated into the political system, reflects the challenge of defining and contextualizing the term “fascism” in contemporary Italy.

The term “fascism” thus becomes charged with a meaning that goes beyond the historical definition, entering a “war of terms” where the extreme right tries to relocate itself in the contemporary political landscape. Understanding and applying this term in public debate and collective perception imply critical reflection on its actualization and on the ideological continuities between fascism and its current manifestations. These considerations require an exploration that goes beyond simplifications, recognizing the challenges posed by the legacies of fascism in the 21st century.

Further reading

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