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Quotes from Modern Italy: A Political History — Denis Mack Smith

1920–2017 England

← All quotes by Denis Mack Smith

3 quotes

Mussolini had been envious of the Bolsheviks and for a while fancied himself as the Lenin of Italy.

Modern Italy: A Political History (1959)

Always an extremist, [Mussolini] inclined to the belief of Babeuf and Blanqui in violent insurrection by a minority in order to establish authoritarian rule. His articles reveal a retreat from belief in class solidarity and a growing attachment to revolution for revolution’s sake, power for the sake of power.

Modern Italy: A Political History (1959)

After his defeat in the 1919 election, Mussolini saw no future in trying to out-socialist the socialists. Without a distinct policy, without friends and backing, he was in serious danger of ending up as a confused and egocentric demagogue with a talent for histrionics.

Modern Italy: A Political History (1959)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Denis Mack Smith (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.