Mussolini and the Rise of Populism: The Man Who Made Fascism

This book analyzes the process by which Mussolini built the world’s first Fascist regime, describes how the Duce’s heirs have adapted to current political conditions, and how they have gone mainstream.

With the rise of populism of the right in the new millennium, Benito Mussolini’s name has returned forcefully to the limelight. Populist movements closely resemble historical fascism, and former President Donald J. Trump has been compared to the Duce. In 2022, the 100th anniversary of the Duce’s taking power, an Italian populist party inspired by fascism took control of the country’s government led by its first woman Prime Minister. By finding in fascism their inspiration to confront the current epoch’s deep transformations, they have taken command in a major European liberal democratic country for the first time since 1945. How this occurred demonstrates the modernity and appeal of Mussolini’s fascism and offers new perspectives in interpreting populism. While the worst elements of fascism have not yet appeared in populist movements, this book conveys in clear language, a more precise awareness of the forces and values that propelled fascism to power and that drive the march of rightist populism worldwide.

This volume is essential reading for students, scholars, general readers and commentators interested in European and modern history.

Spencer M. Di Scala is an award-winning Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts and has published widely on modern Italian and European History. His books include: Italy: From Revolution to Republic, 4th ed. (2008); Europe’s Long Century: 1900-Present: Society, Politics, Culture (2013); and Makers of the Modern World: Vittorio Orlando (2014). He has edited Mussolini 1883-1915 (with Emilio Gentile, 2016).