An assessment of where power lay in Liberal Italy between the elite, institutions, state organisations, and fascist ministers, as well as Mussolini's central role as prime minister.
Where did power lie in Fascist Italy? Fascist ministers
Traditional elite - Each minister took authority from the Duce and had to follow
- Maintained their positions and worked w/ Mussolini his instructions
- The army remained passive due to shared foreign policy - Earlier fascists were gradually removed, e.g. Rossoni, former
interests leader of fascist unions, was dismissed
- Church still had a major influence over the population but - Able ministers replaced by lesser men
compromised w/ the gov’t → Starace - excessively promoted cult of il Duce
- Mussolini maintained relations w/ the King and named him the → Ciano - Mussolini’s son-in-law; remained in office to carry out
First Marshal of the Empire Mussolini’s orders
- The King didn’t interfere w/ Mussolini’s decisions
→ Bocchini - head of state police
Old institutions
- Cabinet was never used as Mussolini made all the decisions
- All opposition in the chamber of deputies were expelled Mussolini’s central role
- Chamber replaced w/ the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations Authoritarian power
in 1939 but was mostly run by Mussolini - Could make laws by personal decree
- Elected local mayors were replaced w/ Podestas - Only fascists and sympathisers sat in Chamber of Deputies
- King could theoretically dismiss Mussolini but was easily
New institutions bullied into accepting Mussolini’s decrees
- Cooperative state ran labour contracts but was an illusory
implementation of economic policy Control of policy
- PNF subordinated to state bureaucracy - Personally headed most of the important ministries
- Fascist Grand Council completely controlled by Mussolini - Interfered in policy issues across all aspects of gov’t
- Council determined the successor to the throne and Mussolini - W/o Mussolini’s support, it was difficult to promote policy
Existing state organisations Weaknesses
- Prefects had their powers enhanced but did little to affect the - Became involved in extremely minor details, e.g. police
fascist state uniforms
- Police remained unchanged - Didn’t delegate effectively or choose efficient subordinates
- Most judges supported the regime as they were conservatives - Foreign affairs became increasingly important during 1930s -
- Majority of the civil service joined the PNF to keep their lacked domestic goals
positions but some were sympathetic to the gov’t
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