The air feels…off, doesn’t it? Not in a dramatic, finish-of-days sort of way, but with a subtle disorientation, a sense of history rhyming with a particularly unsettling verse. Mario Barenghi’s essay, “Bentornati nel 1726” – Welcome Back to 1726 – isn’t a prediction so much as a chilling observation: we’ve stumbled backwards, not into a future dystopia, but into a pre-modern world of unchecked power, eroding institutions and a disturbing fondness for strongmen. It’s a diagnosis that resonates with a growing unease, and one that demands a far deeper appear than a simple lament for lost democratic ideals.
The Echoes of Salò and the Fragility of Italian Democracy
Barenghi rightly focuses on the resurgence of post-fascist sentiment in Italy, culminating in Giorgia Meloni’s premiership. The coincidence of the centenary of Mussolini’s March on Rome with the electoral success of a party rooted in the remnants of the Salò Republic – the fascist puppet state during World War II – is deeply unsettling. But the story isn’t merely about Italy. It’s about the persistent appeal of authoritarianism, even in nations supposedly inoculated against it. The fact that Amerigo Dùmini, a participant in the murder of socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti, joined the neo-fascist party immediately after his release from prison underscores the enduring continuity of that ideology. While Meloni’s government hasn’t instituted a full-blown dictatorship, the subtle erosion of democratic norms, the targeting of independent media, and the persistent flirtation with nationalist rhetoric are warning signs.
However, Barenghi’s analysis, while astute, doesn’t fully address the socio-economic conditions that fueled this resurgence. Italy has struggled with economic stagnation, high youth unemployment, and a deep sense of disillusionment with mainstream politics for decades. These factors created fertile ground for populist movements promising simple solutions to complex problems. Reuters detailed the economic challenges facing Meloni upon taking office, highlighting the precarious state of Italy’s public finances and the need for structural reforms. This economic anxiety, coupled with anxieties about immigration and national identity, proved a potent combination.
Trump and the American Regression: Beyond Fascism, Towards a New Feudalism
Barenghi’s comparison between Donald Trump and Mussolini is provocative, and largely accurate. Trump’s disregard for international law, his attacks on democratic institutions, and his cultivation of a personality cult are all hallmarks of fascist tactics. But the analogy, while useful, risks obscuring a more fundamental shift occurring in the United States. It’s not simply a return to fascism, but a regression towards a pre-democratic form of governance – a new kind of feudalism where power is concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations.
Trump’s exploitation of grievances, his mastery of disinformation, and his willingness to undermine the rule of law were all instrumental in his rise to power. But these were symptoms of a deeper malaise: the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the decline of social mobility, and the erosion of trust in institutions. As Barenghi points out, Trump’s embrace of military force, particularly under the influence of figures like Benjamin Netanyahu, is a disturbing trend.
“The level of polarization in the United States is unlike anything we’ve seen in modern history. It’s not just about policy disagreements; it’s a fundamental breakdown in our ability to communicate and find common ground.” – Dr. Lilliana Mason, Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland, speaking to PBS NewsHour.
The failure to prosecute Trump after the January 6th insurrection, as Barenghi notes, was a critical turning point. It signaled that the rule of law is not absolute, and that those with power can operate with impunity. This has emboldened extremist groups and further eroded public trust in the democratic process. The influence of tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, who openly support Trump, underscores the extent to which economic power is shaping the political landscape.
The Technological Acceleration and the Erosion of Public Authority
Barenghi astutely identifies the role of technological innovation in exacerbating these trends. The rise of the internet and social media has created echo chambers, amplified disinformation, and undermined the authority of traditional media. The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of tech giants has created a new class of overlords who operate outside the bounds of democratic accountability. This isn’t simply a matter of economic inequality; it’s a fundamental challenge to the very notion of popular sovereignty.
The lack of effective antitrust regulation, as Barenghi points out, has allowed these tech giants to amass enormous power. Unlike the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the United States took steps to break up monopolies, the digital revolution has gone largely unregulated. This has resulted in a situation where a handful of companies control vast amounts of data, influence public opinion, and shape the political agenda. The Federal Trade Commission’s recent lawsuit against Amazon, alleging monopolistic practices, is a belated attempt to address this issue, but it remains to be seen whether it will be effective.
The Pre-Revolutionary Condition: A Return to the 18th Century?
Barenghi’s conclusion – that we’ve regressed to a pre-revolutionary era – is a sobering one. The parallels between the present moment and the 18th century are striking: widening inequality, eroding institutions, and a growing sense of disillusionment with the existing order. But there are also crucial differences. The advent of climate change adds a new layer of complexity to the equation, potentially exacerbating existing tensions and creating new ones.
The historical analogy to the Athenian democracy or the Italian city-states is useful, but also cautionary. These experiments in self-governance were ultimately short-lived, succumbing to internal divisions and external pressures. The question is whether we can learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid a similar fate.
The challenge isn’t simply to restore the status quo ante. The old order was flawed, and it failed to address the fundamental problems of inequality and injustice. The task is to build a new order – one that is more equitable, more sustainable, and more democratic. This will require a fundamental rethinking of our economic and political systems, and a willingness to challenge the power of those who benefit from the current arrangements.
Barenghi’s essay isn’t a call to despair, but a call to vigilance. It’s a reminder that democracy is not a given, but something that must be constantly defended. The echoes of the past are growing louder, and it’s up to us to decide whether we will heed their warning. What steps will *you* take to safeguard the principles of liberty and justice in this increasingly precarious world?
