The Fascist Economy as an Illusion

The Fascist Economy as an Illusion

The fascist economy was one of the biggest uses of propaganda in the

fascist regime, and something that Mussolini took great personal

interest in. There were no real outlined Fascist economic policies

however, as Mussolini originally adopted a more laissez-faire attitude

towards the economy, until pressure from the large businesses and

corporations led to state intervention in the system.

Mussolini, however, was prepared to distort the fascist economy for

his own welfare and was even prepared to make conditions worse for his

employees just so that the economy could benefit and Mussolini could

further feed his vast propaganda machine. Therefore, this creates the

thesis that the fascist economy was no more than a propaganda

illusion. However this is not necessarily the case.

To begin with when Mussolini came to power in 1922, the economy was in

a unilateral state of recovery. Conditions in Europe became much

better as European countries began to recover from the debt left after

the war. At this stage also, Mussolini had curbed one of the biggest

economic uprisings in the country, which was the socialists. They had

paved the way for an economic revolution, but after the failure of the

general strike where the socialists proved that they weren't organised

enough for a revolution, this was thwarted. Therefore, Mussolini was

considerably lucky when he came to power, in that there were no real

economic issues to be solved. Mussolini immediately appointed de

Stefani as his economics advisor and went about pursuing Liberal

policies. These included laissez-faire (help yourself) policies and

the attempt...

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... happy. This led to

a rise in numbers of members of the FLC, as many wanted to protest

against the new system and have their voices heard.

It seems therefore that Mussolini was ignoring his own people in

favour of an increased element of control. This therefore describes

the illusion that Mussolini himself was causing to the people about

the state of the economy. What seemed to be an efficient,

self-sufficient & booming economic system was in fact littered with

corruption and false interests. Mussolini claimed to the people that

"the fascists had abolished the troubles and disorder that poisoned

the national soul" [autobiography extract] when instead, with the new

system of corporativism and the old effects from the economic battles

still looming, Mussolini was providing the poison for the economic

soul of Italy.