Is Italy Becoming Fascist? Analyzing Giorgia Meloni's Government for Signs of Ur-Fascism
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Fascism, Italy, Giorgia Meloni, Brothers Italy, Ur-fascism, Umberto Eco, Robert Paxton, Italian politics, far right party, national conservative movement
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Abstract
"Explore the nuances of modern Italian politics and the rise of Giorgia Meloni's government, examining whether current policies echo fascist characteristics as defined by Umberto Eco and Robert Paxton. Analyze the implications of Meloni's leadership on Italy's democratic system and the warnings signs of potential fascist tendencies in her inaugural speech and policy reforms. Discover the insights of experts and the concerns surrounding the far-right Brothers of Italy party's influence on the country's future."
Extract
[...] One could finally cite the twelfth characteristic which is 'achismo' or the expression of fascism on the sexual terrain. Fascism imposes a model that despises women, condemns chastity, and abhors 'exual mores' deemed deviant such as homosexuality. Giorgia Meloni has emphasized the family (according to her motto ' God, fatherland, family") in her inaugural speech:" « Primary core of our societies, cradle of affection and place where the identity of each of us is formed. In favor of the traditional and Catholic family model, she advocates against LGBT+ rights, same-sex adoption, or homosexual marriage. [...]
[...] Two years have passed since Giorgia Meloni was appointed head of the Italian government. It is therefore necessary to analyze whether the policy implemented by the Prime Minister takes up some characteristics of fascism. The elements that will be studied below were identified from Giorgia Meloni's inaugural speech to the Italian Parliament in October 2022 as well as the political and social policies and reforms she has implemented since 2022. They allow for a comparison between thought and action; however, these elements alone cannot be considered reliable and objective indicators to determine if a form of fascism is emerging in Italy. [...]
[...] Fascism does not belong to any doctrine, unlike socialism or liberalism, which makes it difficult to define, even if there are common points. The government of Giorgia Meloni has had social and political setbacks, justice has sometimes been wrong on social issues and the Italian democratic system is still viable with an independent justice, which does not allow Italy to be qualified as a fascist regime, even if certain elements, analyzed above, must remain vigilant about the future of Italian politics, especially in the face of a lack of reaction from citizens and the inertia of the opposition. [...]
[...] Since her appointment, Giorgia Meloni has filed complaints against academics, intellectuals and journalists who have criticized her, such as philologist and historian Luciano Canfora, prosecuted for defamation (complaint since withdrawn) after calling her "neo-Nazi at heart"2 but also journalist Roberto Saviano condemned for defamation while criticizing the government's anti-migration policy3. The fifth characteristic refers to the "fear of difference", transposed here with the question of immigration. From the moment of her appointment, Giorgia Meloni had declared:" « La sécurité et la légalité concernent bien sûr aussi la bonne gestion des flux migratoires4. [...]
[...] Giorgia Meloni had declared at the time of her investiture: « We do not conceive the European Union as an elitist club[ . or worse as a joint-stock company directed by a board of directors whose sole task is to keep the accounts in order » while supporting Italy's membership in the European Union. The seventh characteristic is 'the obsession with conspiracy' which manifests itself through xenophobia. This is translated in Italy as the will to preserve Italian unity and culture through, for example, the defense of the language. [...]
