Mussolini’s Policemen : Behaviour, Ideology and Institutional Culture in Representation and Practice

Examines Italy’s police in the context of fascism’s efforts to modernise and establish ideological control over the state. Presenting an inside perspective on fascist repression, it focuses on recruitment, training and professionalism in the Interior Ministry Police, and their ideological orientation, working conditions and quality of life. -- . How Successful Was Mussolini In Creating A Force Of Loyal And Committed Policemen To Defend His Regime And Assist In The Creation Of A New Fascist Civilization? How Far Were The Italian Police Transformed Under Mussolini, And How Did Policemen Experience The Dictatorship? This Book Examines Italy’s Regular Police In The Context Of Fascism’s Efforts To Modernise And Establish Ideological Control Over The State. Contrasting The Regime’s Idealised Representations With The More Humdrum Realities Of Everyday Practice, The Book Considers The Impact Of The Dictatorship On The Italian Police And Their Personnel. Presenting An Inside Perspective On Fascist Repression, It Focuses Particularly On Recruitment, Training And Professionalism In The Interior Ministry Police, As Well As Officers' Ideological Orientation, Working Conditions And Quality Of Life. This Book Will Appeal To Students And Researchers In Police History, Italian Fascism And, More Generally, Conflict And Oppression In The Twentieth Century. Front matter Contents List of figures Preface and acknowledgements Introduction ‘Cinderella status’: the liberal police and the lure of fascism The ‘fascistisation’ of police culture: representation and practice Oppression and consensus-building: policing communities in fascist Italy The performance of Mussolini’s policemen: reflections on institutional culture, working conditions and welfare Personal profiles Facing the demise of fascism Conclusion: Mussolini’s policemen and the transition to the Republic Select bibliography Index