Il Duce. Populism as Fascism

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The essay explores the nature of populism as a political phenomenon within democratic systems, arguing that while all political movements may exhibit populist traits to varying degrees, the danger lies in its extremities. It emphasizes that populism can lead to totalitarianism, citing historical examples like the Weimar Republic's fall to National Socialism and the rise of Italian fascism under Mussolini. By analyzing these cases, the author identifies key ideological elements and communication strategies that enable populist movements to gain traction during transitional political phases.