David Broder - Mussolinis Grandchildren: Fascism in Contemporary Italy

To understand the rise of the far right and Meloni, it is necessary to place them in the complex history of Italian fascism in the aftermath of Mussolinis death, and the way in which reactionary positions progressively seeped into the mainstream. This is precisely what David Broder does by guiding the reader through the key events in the mainstreaming of the Italian far right, from the nostalgic militancy of the Movimento Sociale Italiano during the years of Lead to the progressive push towards the normalisation and pacification of the far right. This culminated in the collaboration of the post-fascist Alleanza Nazionale with Berlusconi, and now with Melonis Fratelli dItalia and its combination of strenuous defence of the economic and geopolitical status quo and the pursuit of reactionary policies on migration, identity and education. Meticulously researched and engagingly written by an author with a longstanding knowledge of Italy and interest in its politics and culture, this is a must-read for all those who want to understand what is happening in the country and what may soon happen elsewhere.

Dr Paolo Gerbaudo, Reader in Digital Politics, Department of Digital Humanities, Kings College London

Is fascism really a thing of the past? Broder shines a light on what the Italian post-fascists keep in the shadows, the ferocity of their syncretic ideology, and their heavy contradictions. A sharp, richly documented survey of the perennial shameless rebranding of the Italian far right, from historical fascism to the present.

Carlo Greppi, historian

Fascinating and trenchant, Broders account of contemporary Italian neo-fascism which is now in power in Italy is both original and shocking. Broder shows through deep research into both the past and present of these politicians that we should take the threat they represent very seriously indeed.

John Foot, author of Blood and Power:
The Rise and Fall of Italian Fascism

This is a very important book that should be read by anyone concerned about the resurgence of far right and (post)fascist politics. David Broder provides a compelling historical account to illuminate the contemporary situation in Italy and ties it powerfully to the wider turn towards reaction. Broder succeeds in mapping how ideas we have been told were relegated to the dustbin of history have made their return to the mainstream. Beyond the significance of the book, Broders writing style makes it both extremely accessible and engaging.

Aurelien Mondon co-author of Reactionary Democracy: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Become Mainstream

First published 2023 by Pluto Press

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Copyright David Broder 2023

The right of David Broder to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 0 7453 4802 5 Paperback

ISBN 978 0 7453 4805 6 PDF

ISBN 978 0 7453 4804 9 EPUB

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Simultaneously printed in the United Kingdom and United States of America

Alleanza Nazionale (AN) (postfascist, 19942009)

CasaPound Italia (neofascist, 2003)

Comitati di Liberazione Nazionale (CLN) (Resistance alliance, 19435)

Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL) (trade union confederation, 1943)

Democrazia Cristiana (big-tent, 194394)

European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) (right wing to far right, 2009)

European Peoples Party (EPP) (Christian-Democratic, 1976)

Fasci di Azione Rivoluzionaria (neofascist, 19457)

Five Star Movement (big-tent populist, 2009)

Forza Nuova (neofascist, 1997)

Fratelli dItalia (postfascist, 2012)

Fronte della Giovent (MSI youth wing, 197196)

Movimento Politico Ordine Nuovo (neofascist, 196973)

Movimento Sociale Italiano (MSI) (neofascist, 194695)

Nuclei Armati Rivoluzionari (NAR) (neofascist, 197781)

Partito Comunista Italiano (PCI) (192191)

Partito Fascista Repubblicano (19435)

Partito Nazionale Fascista (192143)

Partito Socialista Italiano (18921994)

Popolo della Libert (right wing, Berlusconian, 200913)

Radiotelevisione italiana (public broadcaster)

Repubblica Sociale Italiano (19435 regime, also known as Sal Republic)

Gianni Alemanno, from 1988 to 1991 the secretary of the MSIs youth front, from 2008 to 2013 mayor of Rome for Popolo della Libert.

Giorgio Almirante, from 1938 an editor at La Difesa della Razza, and chief of staff at the Ministry of Popular Culture in the Sal Republic. In 1946 he was a co-founder of the Movimento Sociale Italiano, of which he was the secretary in 194850 and from 1969 to 1987, handing over the reins shortly before his death in 1988.

Enrico Berlinguer, general secretary of the Italian Communist Party from 1972 to 1984.

Silvio Berlusconi, a media tycoon, in 1994 he entered electoral politics with his Forza Italia party and formed the centre-right alliance. Prime minister in 19945, 20016 and 200811.

Junio Valerio Borghese, commander of the Nazi-collaborationist Decima Flottiglia MAS, from 1951 to 1953 honorary president of the MSI, in 1967 founder of the Fronte Nazionale and in 1970 author of a failed coup dtat

Umberto Bossi, founder of the Lega Nord, of which he was the national (federal) secretary from 1989 to 2012.

Luca Castellini, Hellas Verona football ultra leader and national deputy leader of Forza Nuova. Under house arrest in 20212 following the attack on the CGIL trade unions office during a protest against vaccine passes.

Giulio Castellino, a member of a series of neofascist groups including CasaPound and Forza Nuova, currently head of a movement called Italia Libera.

Stefano delle Chiaie, founder of neofascist terrorist group Avanguardia Nazionale and collaborator of South American intelligence services, involved in multiple judicial investigations connected to the strategy of tension. Died 2019.

Francesco Cossiga, Christian Democratic prime minister in 197980, and president of the Republic in 19851992.

Norma Cossetto, daughter of a local Fascist leader in Visinada (today in Croatia) and herself a student member of the National Fascist Party, famous for being murdered by partisans on the night of 45 October 1943. Awarded the Medal of Honour for Civic Merit in 2005.

Bettino Craxi, prime minister in 19837, and long-time leader of the Socialist Party, fled to Tunisia in 1994 faced with corruption charges.

Guido Crosetto, from 2001 an MP for Berlusconis Forza Italia party, in 2012 a co-founder of Fratelli dItalia. A leading figure in the security industry, in 2022 he became minister of defence.