Duce: The Contradictions of Power
eBook - ePub

Duce: The Contradictions of Power

The Political Leadership of Benito Mussolini

  1. English
  2. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

Duce: The Contradictions of Power

The Political Leadership of Benito Mussolini

About this book

Eighty years after the fall of Benito Mussolini, controversy remains about what his dictatorship represented. This reflects the different sides to the Duce's leadership: while adept at nurturing and enforcing his personal political power, Mussolini's lack of insight into the requirements of governance prevented him from converting this power into influence to achieve his goals. His efforts to maintain the support of Italy's conservative elites—economic, social and political—also created tensions with his radical Fascist ambitions, diminishing the momentum behind his regime.

Mussolini is frequently portrayed as a charismatic leader, but his rule was secured principally by coercion, violence and a 'spoils system'. Nonetheless, his personality cult had significant popular appeal, even if based upon a political myth. This enabled him to consolidate his position and to dominate his Fascist colleagues—but at a price of over-centralised, dysfunctional decision-making.

In this book, the first comprehensive English-language study of Mussolini in nearly two decades, Peter J. Williamson brings to life the contradictions within the Duce's leadership. Using a wide range of sources, Williamson reveals how these conflicts impeded the dictator's ambitions, leaving him increasingly frustrated, all while most Italians endured the severe privations of both failure and Fascism.

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Yes, you can access Duce: The Contradictions of Power by Peter J. Williamson in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & European History. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Information

Year
2023
Print ISBN
9781787389533
eBook ISBN
9781805260707

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Contents
  7. Photos
  8. List of Illustrations
  9. Preface: Mapping Mussolini
  10. Chronology of Mussolini’s Life and Career
  11. Part One Background
  12. Part Two Mussolini’s Basis of Power
  13. Part Three Mussolini’s Use of Power
  14. Part Four Reflections on Mussolini The Political Leader
  15. Notes
  16. Select Bibliography
  17. Index
  18. Back Cover