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Entry: D'Annunzio, Mussolini, and the Fate of Empires Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/dannunzio_mussolini_and_the_fate_of_empires#5452 Post contents: I beleive that it is time for a reappraisal of Mussolini, if nothing else to clear him of the charge of having destroyed democracy in Italy. History Lesson no. 4457: Fascism did not destroy democracy, the collapse of democracy from its own internal contradictions brought about all sorts of authoritarian regimes, of which Fascims was one, and not the most common. You might as well blame the vultures for having killed the deer whose carcass they are feasting on. History lesson no. 5687: Fascism was not the same as Nazism. It was only the hazards of international politcis that made Mussonlin ally himself with Hitler. Had he gone the other way, he would now be a respected historical figure and Fascism a reasonable political alternative. (time to tout my alternative history novel where such thing happened, when someone asks "what is the difference between a Fenian and a Fascist?" "Wiser choice of allies" (Ireland having been part of the Axis in my novel)) As long as we pour venom on Mussolini we will never understand the nature of democracy's contradictions and how they can come to a head (By the way, all of you FDR's haters, if you hate democracy too, then you are being consequent, but if not, it was he who kept democracy from collapsing and a real dictatorial regime coming into power). Sent at: 2008 07 24