"Mussolini is remembered as one of the two most important Fascist dictators of the twentieth century. He seized power in Italy in 1922 and ruled the country until overthrown in 1943. But his rule ended in military disaster and personal humiliation, and he was executed by anti-Fascist partisans in 1945." "On the 60th anniversary of Mussolini's death, Martin Clark's portrayal of the Fascist dictator's leadership bears a striking resemblance to the rule of contemporary politicians, obsessed by media spin and short-term triumphs at home and abroad. Clark argues that Mussolini pioneered a 'mediacracy' - rule by journalists attempting to ensure that all social institutions, and even the private sphere, conform to government dictates. The Fascist stress on political correctness may have been quite different in subject matter from today's, but was similar in its attempts to make certain extremely common things unsayable and even unthinkable."--Jacket.