What the last Kings of Italy can teach us about the Dangers of Populism

The last two Kings of Italy can teach us important lessons about the dangers of appeasing populism, fascism, nationalism, and authoritarianism.

Like many of today’s politicians, King Victor Emmanuel III made a deal with a buffoonish right-wing authoritarian to preserve his wealth, status, and power. That deal led to disaster and the destruction of Italy’s monarchy.

In the early 1920s, Italy was in chaos after the country’s catastrophic involvement in World War I. The economy had collapsed and fighting between radical political parties (Communists and Fascists) had broken out in the streets.

By 1922, the largest of the radical groups, Benito Mussolini’s National Fascist Party, was powerful enough to plan an insurrection against Italy’s parliamentary democracy. Mussolini’s militia, the Black Shirts, began a March on Rome to seize power.

Prime Minister Luigi Facta wanted to declare martial law and use the army against the Black Shirts. The Black Shirts were nothing but thugs who would have stood no chance against trained troops.

The King and the Fake Dictator

Instead, Victor Emmanuel overruled Facta and appointed Mussolini Prime Minister. Italy became a Fascist dictatorship under…