Italian Communism : The Road to Legitimacy and Autonomy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Baker, John A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Communism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (242 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Italian Communism

Place of Publication:

Chicago : Barakaldo Books, 2020.

Summary:

Throughout the Cold War era, many Americans were puzzled that communism could thrive in Italy, a NATO ally with close cultural and social ties to the United States. In this study of Italian Communism and the Italian Communist Party, from its part in the Resistance during World War II to its role in Italy in the eighties, John Baker explains how Italian Communism differs from communism in other nations and why it has flourished in Italy.Dr. Baker concentrates on the Italian Communist Party's dilemma regarding its relationship with the Soviet Union. Since World War II, Italian Communists have sought to participate in governing Italy. As long as the Party was associated with the aspirations of the Soviet Union, however, it was suspect in the eyes of the Italian electorate and Italy's allies. Thus, to gain influence in Italian politics, the Party was forced to "deradicalize, " that is, to disclaim endorsement of non-democratic methods and to distance itself from Soviet foreign policy. Dr. Baker traces this gradual and successful process of deradicalization.

Contents:

Intro

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION

Illustrations

MAPS

PHOTOGRAPHS

TABLE

Foreword

MAP

Preface

Chronology

The PCI in Post-war Italy, 1943-87

Seeking Parliamentary Change

PART ONE-Long Prelude to Power, 1921-76

I-The Revolutionary Vision

"Deradicalization"

Origin of the PCI

Popular Front Strategy

Resistance and Collaboration

The Cold War

II-The XX Congress of the Soviet Communist Party, 1956

Question #1: PCI Autonomy

Question #2: "Non-inevitability of War" Theory

Question #3: Relationship Between Soviet Power and PCI Political Prospects

Question #4: The Italian Road to Socialism

Summing Up 1956

III-Alliance Strategy: 1956-76

Struggle to Overcome Isolation

Stagnation of Soviet Foreign Policy

Legitimization Through Opposition to Extremism

New Generation of Leaders

Search for Legitimacy

Lessons of Chile

Electoral Momentum and Party Rejuvenation

Eurocommunism

European Policy

NATO

European Communist Party Conference at Berlin: June 1976

IV-Deradicalization 1956-76

"Elements of Socialism"

Lack of Leverage

Internal Brake

Renewal Group

PART TWO-"Party of Government" Addresses Foreign Policy, 1976-82

V-Faltering Détente Obstructs the PCI

PCI Support Yields to Doubts

PCI Enters Parliamentary Majority

As PCI Approaches Control Room, US-Soviet Relations Deteriorate

PCI Attempts Damage Control

Beginning the Critique

PCI and China-Vietnam Conflict

Summing Up Solidarity Experience

VI-XV Congress of the Italian Communist Party, 1979

The "Third Way"

End of Solidarity Government

Perceptions of Soviet Attitude Toward "National Solidarity"

VII-PCI Criticism of Individual Soviet Policies

Views of Nonaligned Movement

Soviet Defensiveness

PCI View of SS-20 Deployment.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Berlinguer's Blame Corrected

VIII-PCI's Global Perception of Soviet Foreign Policy

Lapo Sestan's May 1980 Analysis

CESPI, PCI Foreign Policy Process

Further Reflection on PCI Critique

Systemic Origins Noted

CPSU Congress, PCI Restraint

Nonaligned, Workers' Movements

Revival of Ledda's Critique

IX-Soviet Responsibility for Deterioration of Détente

Poland and the Loss of Soviet Propulsive Force

Reflections on the 1979-82 "Turn"

PART THREE-Perspectives of the PCI'S Foreign Policy Elite

X-Approach to "Euro-Left"

XI-Distancing From Moscow

Soviet Priorities

US Reactions to Soviet Policies

PCI Policy Toward US-Soviet Confrontation

XII-Soviet Ideology and Power and the Fortunes of the PCI

Post-war Momentum Checked by Containment

Pressures for Changes

PCI Reactions to Gorbachev and Vice Versa

Generations Seem World Apart

Selected Bibliography

Books

Reports and Documents

Articles

Doctoral Dissertations

Book Review

Published Interviews

Abbreviations

The Author.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781839745980

1839745983

OCLC:

1202480273