Eugenio d’Ors e il fascismo italiano

Abstract

Eugenio d’Ors and Italian Fascism

When Mussolini founds the Fasci di combattimento, d’Ors is consuming his divorce from the Lliga regionalista, without however betraying some distinctive features of his political culture, dominated by the prophecy of a radically new age, alternative to liberalism and individualism of the 19th century. These orientations are certainly compatible with Fascism, but this does not immediately entail a particular sympathy for Mussolini, indeed regarded with detachment and even with irony for his cinematographic style, for his relationship with the masses. Since June 1924, d’Ors has expressed his admiration for the ability of fascism to produce “myths and rituals”. From that moment, he will always declare himself on the side of Mussolini and his political regime. However, d’Ors does not stop at a mere ethical-political adhesion relationship: he aspires to propose himself as a profound interpreter, capable of recognizing an “authentic” (imperial) fascism, opposing it to another merely instrumental and of short duration (a nationalist fascism, which exalts the Italian nation). This imperialist vision places d’Ors in an atypical position, not only with respect to Italian fascism, but also to the map of ideologies of the Spanish radical right.

Received: 29-04-2020

Admitted: 24-09-2020