Italian political history over the last 100 years offers a unique opportunity to analyse the relationships between fascism and populism. Neo-fascism represents a political movement—deeply rooted in Italian history—dating back to the end of the 1940s; over the years, it has been expressed in various ways, some of which have been incorporated into parliamentary dynamics, while others have chosen the anti-system path. Both trends have preserved elements of the neo-fascist tradition and, at the same time, re-adapted traditional messages (including anti-Semitism, anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism). This chapter looks at the political dynamics surrounding the evolution of neo-fascism and neo-fascist groups and parties in post-war Italy up to the present day and then focuses on two neo-fascist organisations formed in the 1990s, Forza Nuova and Casa Pound. It analyses their symbols, values, beliefs and forms of ‘othering’—marking the division between us and the others. The history, programmes and political activitiesy of the two organisations are used to outline the differences between neo-fascism and neopopulism. While neo-fascism has a strong ideological dimension, neopopulism is a chameleon-like trend crossing a great many EU countries and responding to various challenges (globalisation, post-industrial economic conditions, immigration, European Union constraints). In Italy, it is mainly represented by the Northern League. Neo-fascism and neopopulism overlap in targeting some issues, such as hostility to immigration. They also tend to oppose ‘the system’—corrupt politics, financial capitalism, the European Union which is an instrument of financial capitalism and has deprived Italy of sovereignty. But although they may be in admixture in some cases, populism and neo-fascism are distinct phenomena. The notions of people and of the role of the state are far apart in populism and neo-fascism. The final section of the chapter looks at the victims of neo-fascist organisations and resistance to them established by organisations like ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans).

Neo-fascism from the twentieth century to the third millennium: The case of Italy / Giovanna, Campani. - STAMPA. - (2016), pp. 25-54. [10.1057/978-1-137-55679-0_2]

Neo-fascism from the twentieth century to the third millennium: The case of Italy

CAMPANI, GIOVANNA
2016

Abstract

Italian political history over the last 100 years offers a unique opportunity to analyse the relationships between fascism and populism. Neo-fascism represents a political movement—deeply rooted in Italian history—dating back to the end of the 1940s; over the years, it has been expressed in various ways, some of which have been incorporated into parliamentary dynamics, while others have chosen the anti-system path. Both trends have preserved elements of the neo-fascist tradition and, at the same time, re-adapted traditional messages (including anti-Semitism, anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism). This chapter looks at the political dynamics surrounding the evolution of neo-fascism and neo-fascist groups and parties in post-war Italy up to the present day and then focuses on two neo-fascist organisations formed in the 1990s, Forza Nuova and Casa Pound. It analyses their symbols, values, beliefs and forms of ‘othering’—marking the division between us and the others. The history, programmes and political activitiesy of the two organisations are used to outline the differences between neo-fascism and neopopulism. While neo-fascism has a strong ideological dimension, neopopulism is a chameleon-like trend crossing a great many EU countries and responding to various challenges (globalisation, post-industrial economic conditions, immigration, European Union constraints). In Italy, it is mainly represented by the Northern League. Neo-fascism and neopopulism overlap in targeting some issues, such as hostility to immigration. They also tend to oppose ‘the system’—corrupt politics, financial capitalism, the European Union which is an instrument of financial capitalism and has deprived Italy of sovereignty. But although they may be in admixture in some cases, populism and neo-fascism are distinct phenomena. The notions of people and of the role of the state are far apart in populism and neo-fascism. The final section of the chapter looks at the victims of neo-fascist organisations and resistance to them established by organisations like ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans).
2016
9781137556783
The Rise of the Far Right in Europe: Populist Shifts and 'Othering'
25
54
Giovanna, Campani
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1050716
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