fascism

The term “fascism” is often used in a broad sense to describe authoritarian behaviors, but its academic meaning requires distinguishing three fundamental definitions. First, it refers to the historical Italian phenomenon; second, to the European authoritarian regimes of the interwar period; and third, to an analytical category of authoritarianism applicable to broader contexts. This distinction is essential to avoid imprecise uses of the concept. The first meaning identifies fascism with the political movement led by Benito Mussolini in Italy between … Read more

The song “Bella Ciao” is an anonymous Italian folk anthem, transmitted for years through oral tradition in the northern regions of Italy. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it has become an internationally recognized cultural symbol of antifascist resistance. Its earliest roots can be traced back to the second half of the 19th century, linked to the “mondine”, women working in the rice fields of the Po Valley. These women used protest songs to denounce harsh working conditions: exhausting workdays, … Read more

The term “fascism” comes from the Latin fasces, which in ancient Rome referred to a bundle of rods tied around an axe. This symbol represented the authority and power of magistrates to punish citizens, as well as the strength that comes from unity: a single rod can be easily broken, but a bundle is unbreakable. The Italian word fascio (bundle) gave its name to the “Fasci di Combattimento”, founded by Benito Mussolini in Milan on March 23, 1919, deliberately reclaiming … Read more