Mussolini used his newspaper in 1919 to espouse an eclectic mix of “dramatic and eye-catching” proposals inspired by views from across the political spectrum, as he was “far more concerned with tactics than with ideas” and discovered that inconsistency did not bother his readers.[32] Mussolini at this time “appeared successively as champion of the League and then nationalist, as socialist and then conservative, as a monarchist and then republican” and actively wished to keep all his political options open.
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In general, its stances were radically different from those of later fascism, as the early Fasci proclaimed its opposition to censorship, militarism and dictatorship.[23]Mussolini wrote that “we are libertarians above all, loving liberty for everyone, even for our enemies”.[24] On the same occasion, he also said that freedom of thought and speech were among the “highest expressions of human civilization”.[24]
The OG fascists, with the bundle on their coat of arms, representing the uniformity of opinion held together.
One of the core characteristics of fascism - the rejection of dissent, in favor of unanimity.
Edit- totally fascinating read about the predecessor, the “Fasci Italiana di Combattimento”
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Oh boy, this sounds so current…