Italian artisans and the illusory return to corporatism during the fascist period (1926-1939)

The article follows the birth and development of the « Autonomous Fascist Federation of Artisan Communities in Italy », born in 1926 on the initiative of a small nucleus of personalities loyal to Mussolini and inspired by a clear pro-fascist and corporatist approach; and shows how it was difficult in the social economic and market conditions of the time to follow the path of an « integral » corporatism. The Federation failed to have its own autonomy and remained de facto subordinate to Confindustria. It was only later that the fascist regime, following the emulation of the corresponding legislative measures of the Nazi regime on the artisan world, would implement a series of legislative measures to meet the basic needs of the sector.