Word: fascism
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...distinguishing feature of Fascism that military accomplishments are loudly extolled, and foreign countries defied, whenever economic pressures increase. As the food shortage grows more serious in Rome, also do the "victory songs" grow louder and Italian medicinemen beat the tom-toms of hate and self-adulation with increasing gusto. Mussolini is faced with increased living costs, an unbalanced budget, a shortage and an upset foreign trade, and he has realized that only by playing on the passions of his Latin populace can he divert its minds from dwelling upon its economic position or physical sufferings...
...indeed hard to understand why the nationality or political convictions of a particular section of the world should have any influence over the discussions of an international congregation. Citizens of democratic countries are becoming increasingly huffy and high-handed with dictatorial governments like Fascism and Naziism, but to what end? Autocracies, disagreeable as they may seem to a liberal people, must be dealt with. We who have been born and bred in democratic traditions are wont to treat European dictatorships like provisional governments merely waiting for the day of democratic revelation...
...Under the Axe of Fascism" is concerned only with one aspect of Fascism, "those institutions through which Fascism claims to have solved the problem of the relations between capital and labor." Professor Salvemini has not relied upon the observations of contemporary historians, but has drawn his information almost exclusively from Fascist sources--Italian newspapers, political speeches, and the like. There is no limit to his poignant ridicule of Mussolini's defenders. He takes delight in combusting the wild assumptions and vague generalities of British critics, notably Mr. Goad and Major Barnes, two superficial students of the new "revolution...
...forces in the Italian government today. Professor Salvemini has spared no footnotes, and his conclusions are supported not by one casual quotation, but by pages of them. Despite these necessary appendages to a thorough work of scholarship, he has written no dull government text. "Under the Axe of Fascism" has just enough unrelenting prejudice, just enough biting sarcasm to give the books a lively, absorbing interest without distorting facts or disturbing its value...
...Under the Axe of Fascism" deserves a niche in the library beside the worthy volumes of Mr. Finer, Mr. Elwin, and Miss Haider. It is a distinct contribution to the enlightened understanding of present day Italy...