How successful were Mussolini’s economic policies?

Mussolini had five main aims in economy. His first aim has autarky, which is a term use for self sufficiency of he country, this was essential for a warrior nation, as he planned. Another aim was to end conflicts between workers and owners and direct Italy’s production that is why he introduced corporatism, which is a third way between communism and capitalism. Other aim, was to decrease unemployment, for that he designed a public work program, which initially seemed very clever. Italy’s larger part depends on agriculture that is why Mussolini put a lot of emphasis on in improving it. Finally, all of this aims, made a major aim, which is to make Italy a strong economy in the world, which was Mussolini’s main goal.

The most significant policy Mussolini introduced to fulfill his aim of autarky, was the Battle of Wheat, on 1925. This policy consisted mainly, in persuading farmers to plant wheat instead of other production. This was successful at a certain extent, because although imports in wheat were cut by a 75%, it wasn't a suitable grain to plant on the south,were most of he farmers are. Climate on the south made grazing, orchards and other vegetables, a much more suitable place to plant, instead of wheat. That is why agriculture remained inefficient, and farmers were still the poorest class in the country. So the aim of self sufficiency was mostly failed.

As we explained on question 1, the corporate state was properly introduced. Mussolini had two main aims, which were control workers and direct the economy, and he accomplished this. But the measures used by Mussolini to accomplish corporatism, were negative for Italy’s economic situation. The Battle of Wheat introduced on 1925, as we exposed above, affected negatively in Italy’s economy; this measure was an example of how Mussolini did to guide Italy’s economy and production. Another policy he introduced to accomplish this objectives was the encouragement of industry, by providing subsidies. At first this policy was seen as an effective policy, because iron and steel production doubled, and also hydroelectric power doubled. But little had been done to increase oil and coal productions, which are vital for industry to function. Also, as we saw n source A, steel and iron productions not even match a small state as Belgium. So corporatism failed on the economic aspect of it, because it controlled workers but the measures were negative for economy.

To decrease unemployment, Mussolini effectively launched an impressive public work program. This consisted on building motorways, bridges, blocks of flats, railways stations, sports stadiums, schools, and new towns on reclaimed land. But most of these promised buildings were not done by the government, making the unemployment insurance scheme very poor, and it was not even improved during the great depression of 1929. All of these factors, made unemployment rise to 1.1 million on 1930´s.

To give the artificial impression of a strong economy, on 1926 Mussolini reevaluates the lira, and raise it up very high compared to how it really was. This policy was a complete failure, because exportation decreased radically, because they were now too expensive, intensifying Italy’s economic situation. Again, demonstrating luck of knowledge of Mussolini on economics; and another erroneous policy.

Finally to improve agriculture, Mussolini initiated the land reclamation campaign. This policy consisted on planting forests on mountainous areas, to increase agricultural yield. The best example and more effective was the Pontine Marshes near Rome. This policy was very popular in Italy because of the great investment on publicity Mussolini made for this. It was a policy where Mussolini invest a lot of propaganda, so at first it illusion many of the people in Italy; as most of his policies, and then were a disappointment. According to “Modern World History” book written by Norman Lowe, “in spite of al these propaganda, only one-tenth of the program had been carried out.” Which, in my opinion, is a very small value; remarkably by the importance he gave to this policy.

To conclude, I will end by saying that I could interpret a pattern in most of the policies launched by Mussolini, this is that they are effectively promoted, and introduced but they end by being mostly failures. This can be an effect of international context, or Mussolini’s lack of understanding on economics.