3 Oppression and consensus-building
-
Jonathan Dunnage
Abstract
Partly based on a detailed case study of the province and city of Siena, this chapter examines the function and activities of members of the regular forces of Benito Mussolini's police in Italian communities. As well as considering the impact of the dictatorship on the working lives of police personnel, the chapter analyses how fascism determined their relationship with the public. Many of the daily activities which the police undertook during the fascist period were barely different to those of the liberal era. In liberal Italy, police officers and officials had spent a good part of their energies controlling mass political and labour movements. The policing of communities during the fascist period, though often highly oppressive, should be considered in the broader context of the regime's desire to generate consensus, particularly among the most disaffected.
Abstract
Partly based on a detailed case study of the province and city of Siena, this chapter examines the function and activities of members of the regular forces of Benito Mussolini's police in Italian communities. As well as considering the impact of the dictatorship on the working lives of police personnel, the chapter analyses how fascism determined their relationship with the public. Many of the daily activities which the police undertook during the fascist period were barely different to those of the liberal era. In liberal Italy, police officers and officials had spent a good part of their energies controlling mass political and labour movements. The policing of communities during the fascist period, though often highly oppressive, should be considered in the broader context of the regime's desire to generate consensus, particularly among the most disaffected.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Preface and acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Cinderella status’ 8
- 2 The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture 37
- 3 Oppression and consensus-building 78
- 4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen 104
- 5 Personal profiles 135
- 6 Facing the demise of fascism 166
- 7 Conclusion 206
- Select bibliography 223
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Preface and acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Cinderella status’ 8
- 2 The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture 37
- 3 Oppression and consensus-building 78
- 4 The performance of Mussolini’s policemen 104
- 5 Personal profiles 135
- 6 Facing the demise of fascism 166
- 7 Conclusion 206
- Select bibliography 223
- Index 229
