36 THE RISE OF ITALIAN FASCISM
which it is far from ready to give up for the sake of trans-
atlantic creeds. Lloyd George speaks openly of the
British Empire. Imperialism is the basis of life for any
nation seeking economic and spiritual expansion. We
say that either everyone must become an idealist, or no
one. Let us seek our own interests. We want our place
in the world, because we have a right to it Let us be
frank : the League must not become a trap set by the
wealthy for the proletarian nations as a means of
perpetuating the present conditions of the world balance
of power.3
After such an c explanation 5, what was left of the seven or
eight lines of the declaration ?
Since the principles adopted, even in such a curious
fashion, might still lead to embarrassment., Mussolini saw
to it that the meaning and scope of every programme was
limited in advance by the avoidance of all labels and
definitions. Fascists were neither republican nor monarchist,
catholic nor anti-catholic, socialist nor anti-socialist ,* they
were e problemists' and realists, and practised in turn,
according to the needs of the situation, c class collaboration,
class struggle, and class expropriation '. And since the
idea of a party involved a doctrine and a programme, they
were c anti-party'. This put the old parties at a dis-
advantage, satisfied those who were after something new,
and avoided the dangerous ground of principle, as well as
the difficulties of being coherent. Emphasis was laid on
6 action ' rather than on ideas. This attracted many of the
young advancing 4 towards life', impatient of obstructions
and eager to have a good time, to sacrifice themselves, to
acquire self-confidence. Fascism drove them along the
easiest way. Everything was simplified, for thoughts had
no time to form themselves, connect, or conflict before they
evaporated in action, exalting and melodramatic. The
inner life reduced itself to the simplest reflexes, shifting from
the centres of feeling and becoming externalized. Doubts
and uncertainties ceased to exist. The youthful fascist in a
world full of contradictions joyfully affirmed : * I need not
think ; therefore I am '.