Who Really Ruled Italy in 1926-40?

Mussolini is considered as one of the most important European dictators of the twenties century. If he is a dictator he would be the absolute ruler of Italy, but a man can not do everything himself. So how important were the other protagonists: the fascist party and the establishment? Their strength would be measured in power. Mussolini through his political situation was the most powerful man in Italy. He was Prime Minister and held up …

…efforts to dynamise the industry and economy of the country. We can say that Mussolini had ultimate power but not absolute power. He really ruled Italy from 1926-37 when Hitler's influence was increasingly important. Mussolini never had the power of Hitler or Stalin. His strength is only in comparison with the other weak political parties in Italy. One could almost say that he is only a violent Prime Minister who didn't respect the democratic rules.