Fascist Attitudes in the 21st Century: Uncovering Their Resurgence in Italy's Populist Radical Right

Amidst the populist radical right's mounting influence in Western Europe, this study delves into the determinants of favorable views on fascism, particularly in the context of the 2022 Italian parliamentary election. While numerous populist parties have roots in pre-democratic fascist movements, empirical studies scrutinizing this relationship remain sparse. To bridge this gap, the research first explores whether far-right party voters are more inclined towards fascism compared to other parties. Secondly, it seeks to identify the factors fueling support for fascist ideologies. Utilizing latent and observed metrics to assess pro-fascist sentiments, the findings reveal a noticeable percentage of Italians have strong fascist inclinations, with this sentiment being more pronounced among right-wing coalition voters. Psychological dimensions, including authoritarianism and securitarianism, are positively associated with these sentiments, whereas democratic preferences act as a deterrent. Notably, populist tendencies demonstrate a negative correlation with explicit fascist beliefs. This investigation offers a comprehensive understanding of the nuanced interplay between the populist radical right and historical fascist ideologies within Italy.