Fascism : an informal introduction to its theory and practice / Renzo de Felice ; an interview with Michael A. Ledeen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

De Felice, Renzo, 1929-

Ledeen, Michael Arthur, 1941- author.

Series:

Issues in contemporary civilization

Standardized Title:

Intervista sul fascismo. English

Language:

English

Italian

Subjects (All):

Fascism.

Fascism--Italy.

Italy.

Physical Description:

128 pages ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

New Brunswick, N.J. : Transaction Books, [1976]

Summary:

For Italian Intellectuals, the terms fascist and antifascist continue to be the hard currency of contemporary political debate-to the point that if you are not one, you must be the other. When professor Renzo de Felice suggests that fascism describes a moment in the Italian past-and only that-he is challenging the very heart of current orthodoxy. The nature of his analysis of the recent Italian past is itself at odds with the traditional version, and represents a radical departure from conventional wisdom. De Felice's ideas about fascism have a broad significance, quite apart from their importance in the contemporary Italian scene. Perhaps no one knows as much about fascism, and no one has given the subject such a rigorous historical analysis.

This dialogue between de Felice and American scholar Michael Ledeen has been on the best-seller list in Italy for nearly a year-an uncommon event for a book of its type for any country. This knowledgeable discussion ranges from empirical research on the history of Mussolini and the Fascist Regime in Italy to seeking a definition of fascism and determining its general characteristics. It also includes a comparative analysis with nazism and totalitarianism and concludes with observations of fascism today and the need for a new focus for future research.

Contents:

1 Historical and Theoretical Background of De Felice's Work 21

2 Seeking a Definition of Fascism 36

3 General Characteristics of Fascism 43

4 Italian Fascism: Historical and Comparative Analysis 61

5 Fascism, Foreign Policy, and World War II 79

6 True Examples of Fascism 89

7 Fascism Today 97

8 Fascism and Totalitarianism; Aspects for Further Research 108.

Notes:

Translation of Intervista sul fascismo.

Bibliography: pages 127-128.

ISBN:

0878551905.

0878556192

OCLC:

2331263