Book

For over a century, the term “fascism” has been used to condemn any authoritarian regime, even though it actually only applies to a specific country and time period. Lucien Jaume rejects this semantic inflation and restores the radical singularity of Mussolini’s project.

Far from being mere political opportunism or conservative reaction, Italian fascism was a coherent ideology with a project for a total transformation of man and society – a cultural revolution even Mao did not envision. Jaume’s original philosophical contribution fills a void in French historiography, especially as the geopolitical events of 2026 make the question more urgent than ever.

Mussolini’s journey from extreme leftism to nationalism is crucial to understanding the hybrid nature of fascism. Rejecting liberalism, Mussolini advocated a top-down revolution where the state becomes all-powerful. The fascist doctrine embraced totalitarianism, where the state permeates every aspect of civil society.

The fascist regime under Mussolini created a culture of war and violence as part of its anthropological foundation, believing that the new man should be forged through conflict and sacrifice. Jaume’s methodological approach focuses on the concept of “idéopraxies,” where ideology and political practice are intertwined seamlessly, particularly evident in Italian fascism.

This pioneering book in French historiography of fascism offers a deep analysis of Mussolini’s intellectual creation, highlighting the coherent and radical nature of Italian fascism. Understanding the specific nature of fascism is crucial in identifying current dangers and not trivializing the term by applying it to any authoritarian regime.