Vu d'Italie. Un débat d'historiens

This chapter examines the Italian reception of Zeev Sternhell’s work, focusing on translations, controversies, and scholarly dialogue. It traces how Ni droite ni gauche and subsequent volumes were first introduced in Italy through channels linked to the Nuova Destra, generating strong reactions and polemics. Italian historians, initially skeptical or dismissive, gradually engaged with Sternhell’s thesis on the ideological origins of fascism, the role of cultural matrices, and the broader significance of anti-Enlightenment traditions. The essay highlights both criticisms (especially the neglect of fascism’s social practices and violence), and recognitions of Sternhell’s contribution to the history of ideas. Finally, it discusses his sustained intellectual exchanges with Italian scholars and his impact on debates about fascism, antisemitism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, underlining the lasting resonance of his historiographical model.