Machine Has a Soul: American Sympathy with Italian Fascism

During the interwar years, the United States grappled with economic volatility, moral values, family erosion, and democracy decay, leading some individuals to turn to Italian fascism as a solution. Katy Hull's book "The Machine Has a Soul" explores why Americans of all stripes sympathized with Italian fascism, highlighting the regime's image as efficient and technologically advanced while upholding tradition, religion, and family. The book investigates the motivations of American fascist sympathizers and offers provocative lessons about authoritarianism's appeal during times of cultural, social, and economic strain.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

During the interwar years, the United States faced significant economic challenges, leading to widespread concerns about moral decline, family erosion, and the weakening of democratic institutions. This ambivalence towards modernity gave rise to a fascination with Italian fascism among some individuals, who saw it as a potential solution to the country's problems.

The book "The Machine Has a Soul" explores the reasons why Americans from various political backgrounds were drawn to Italian fascism. It reveals that fascism's appeal lay in its portrayal as a "machine that will run and has a soul," combining efficiency and technological advancement with traditional values and religious devotion.

The book focuses on four prominent American sympathizers: Richard Washburn Child, a conservative diplomat and Republican operative; Anne OHare McCormick, a renowned New York Times journalist; Generoso Pope, an Italian-American publisher and Democratic political broker; and Herbert Wallace Schneider, a Columbia University professor of moral philosophy. These individuals were drawn to fascism for different reasons, including their admiration for the youthful glamour and impeccable manners of fascist squads, their perception of Mussolini as a modern and charismatic leader, and their belief in the potential of the corporate state to revive ailing minds.

The book offers insightful lessons about the appeal of authoritarianism during times of cultural, social, and economic strain. It sheds light on the ways in which fascism tapped into the fears and anxieties of individuals seeking stability and order in a rapidly changing world. It also raises important questions about the dangers of embracing ideologies that prioritize efficiency and control over individual rights and freedoms.

Overall, "The Machine Has a Soul" is a valuable contribution to the study of American history and politics, providing a deeper understanding of the complex factors that led to the rise of fascism in the United States and its impact on the country's cultural and political landscape.

Weight: 532g
Dimension: 242 x 161 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691208107