This essay originates from the author’s recognition that no satisfactory examination of the
nature and origins of collaborationism in the European countries occupied by Nazi has been
so far provided. In particular, there is no satisfactory account of the cultural and political
responsibilities of each European country in promoting the growth movements that were deeply
connected with ideology and culture of the occupying Nazi and Fascist powers and that this
cultural and ideological atmosphere promoted collaborationism. The essay focuses on the
Republica Sociale Italiana (RSI), created by Mussolini after his dismissal (on July 25th 1943).
The author examines its institutions and its traces in the memory of the Italian public opinion.
The author sketches a comparison of the Italian collaborationism to the collaborationism in
other European countries by focusing in particular on the case of France which has important
similarities with Italian experience for its attempt to create a New Order, corporative and racist,
deeply inspired by Nazi experience.
