Filippo Turati, born on November 26, 1857, in Canzo, a small town in the Lombardy region of Italy, was one of the most influential figures in the history of Italian socialism. A brilliant intellectual, journalist, and politician, Turati played a pivotal role in the development of the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) and left an enduring legacy in the realm of political thought and social reform. His life was marked by a commitment to Marxist principles, a dedication to social justice, and a relentless pursuit of democratic ideals.
Early Life and Education
Turati was born into a middle-class family, and his upbringing in the cultural and intellectual environment of northern Italy deeply influenced his later political and philosophical views. He attended the prestigious Ugo Foscolo Classical High School in Pavia, where he was exposed to the ideas of classical literature and philosophy. This early education laid the foundation for his later work as a writer and thinker.
From a young age, Turati was drawn to the world of ideas and political activism. He began contributing to various democratic and radical publications, where he expressed his early support for the ideals of freedom, equality, and social justice. His intellectual journey was further shaped by his encounters with the works of Karl Marx and other socialist thinkers, which would later become the cornerstone of his political ideology.
The Birth of a Socialist Leader
In the 1880s, Turati emerged as a leading figure in the Italian labor movement. His political awakening was significantly influenced by his close relationship with Anna Kuliscioff, a Russian-born revolutionary and socialist intellectual who would become his lifelong companion and collaborator. Together, they became the intellectual and moral leaders of the nascent Italian socialist movement.
In 1886, Turati publicly supported the Italian Workers’ Party, which had been founded in Milan in 1882 by artisans Giuseppe Croce and Costantino Lazzari. This party was one of the first attempts to organize the Italian working class into a political force. However, Turati soon realized that the Italian labor movement needed a broader, more cohesive organization to achieve its goals.
In 1889, Turati founded the Milanese Socialist League, a political organization inspired by non-dogmatic Marxism. Unlike other Marxist groups of the time, Turati’s league advocated for the emancipation of the proletariat through gradual reforms rather than violent revolution. This pragmatic approach to socialism, which emphasized the importance of parliamentary struggle and social reform, would later become known as “reformist socialism.”
Turati’s ideas found a receptive audience among the working class and intellectuals alike. His commitment to the cause of social justice and his ability to articulate the aspirations of the labor movement made him a respected leader within the socialist ranks.
Founding the Italian Socialist Party
The early 1890s were a period of intense political activity for Turati. In 1891, he became the editor of the influential socialist journal “Critica Sociale” (Social Criticism), which he would lead for the next 35 years. Under his guidance, the journal became the leading voice of Italian socialism, advocating for workers’ rights, social reforms, and democratic governance.
Turati’s influence extended beyond journalism. In 1892, he played a key role in the founding of the Italian Workers’ Party, which would later evolve into the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) in 1895. The party’s formation was a milestone in the history of Italian socialism, as it united various socialist and labor organizations under a single banner.
The PSI was characterized by its reformist approach to socialism, which sought to achieve the goals of the working class through peaceful, parliamentary means. Turati believed that socialism could coexist with democracy and that the path to social justice lay in winning political power through democratic elections.
Turati’s vision for the PSI was not without its challenges. The party faced opposition from both the conservative establishment and more radical socialist factions who favored revolutionary methods. However, Turati’s leadership and his ability to build alliances with other progressive forces ensured that the PSI remained a significant force in Italian politics.
Parliamentary Career and Political Influence
Filippo Turati’s political career reached new heights in 1896 when he was elected to the Italian Parliament as a deputy. His election marked the beginning of a long and influential parliamentary career that would span three decades.
As a member of Parliament, Turati championed a wide range of social and economic reforms aimed at improving the lives of workers and the poor. He advocated for labor rights, social security, and the expansion of democratic freedoms. His commitment to social justice and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Italy made him a respected and influential figure in Parliament.
One of Turati’s most significant contributions during this period was his role in shaping the relationship between the PSI and the broader Italian left. Despite the repressive policies of the government, particularly under Prime Minister Francesco Crispi, Turati sought to build alliances with republican and radical groups in an effort to advance the cause of democracy and social reform.
Turati’s efforts were not without risks. In 1899, he was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in the “Protest of the Stomach” in Milan, a demonstration against rising food prices and economic hardship. Although he was released after being re-elected in a by-election, his imprisonment highlighted the dangers faced by socialist leaders in a hostile political environment.
Despite these challenges, Turati remained committed to his principles. He continued to advocate for a gradualist approach to socialism, emphasizing the importance of working within the democratic system to achieve social change.
Reformism and the Giolittian Era
The early 20th century saw the rise of Giovanni Giolitti, a liberal politician who would dominate Italian politics for the next two decades. Giolitti’s government pursued a series of social reforms aimed at addressing the demands of the working class, and Turati saw an opportunity to advance the socialist agenda through collaboration with the liberal government.
Turati’s support for Giolitti’s government was rooted in his belief that socialism could achieve meaningful reforms through alliances with moderate political forces. This approach, known as “minimalism,” focused on achieving partial reforms that could improve the lives of workers while laying the groundwork for more significant changes in the future.
Under Giolitti’s leadership, the Italian government introduced important social legislation, including laws protecting women and children in the workplace, compensation for workplace injuries, and social security measures for the elderly. These reforms were seen as a victory for Turati and the reformist wing of the PSI, which had advocated for these changes.
However, Turati’s collaboration with Giolitti was not without controversy. The more radical elements within the PSI, led by figures such as Arturo Labriola and Enrico Ferri, criticized Turati for compromising with the bourgeoisie and abandoning the revolutionary goals of socialism. The internal divisions within the PSI came to a head at the party’s congress in Bologna in 1904, where the reformist wing was temporarily defeated.
Despite these setbacks, Turati’s reformist approach regained influence within the PSI in the years that followed. By 1908, the reformists, in alliance with the integralists led by Oddino Morgari, had regained control of the party, and Turati once again became the leading figure within the PSI’s parliamentary group.
World War I and the Post-War Period
The outbreak of World War I in 1914 presented a new set of challenges for Turati and the Italian socialist movement. The PSI was divided over the issue of the war, with some members advocating for intervention on the side of the Allies, while others, including Turati, initially supported a position of neutrality.
Turati’s views on the war evolved over time. Following the Italian military’s defeat at the Battle of Caporetto in 1917, he became convinced that the defense of the nation was necessary to prevent the collapse of the state and the rise of authoritarianism. Although he remained a committed pacifist, Turati supported the war effort as a means of preserving Italy’s democratic institutions.
The end of the war brought new challenges for the PSI. The Russian Revolution of 1917 had inspired many within the party to embrace revolutionary socialism, leading to a growing rift between the reformists and the revolutionaries. Turati, who opposed both fascism and the Soviet model of socialism, found himself increasingly isolated within the party.
In 1922, as the PSI moved further to the left, Turati and other reformists were expelled from the party. In response, Turati, along with Giuseppe Modigliani and Claudio Treves, founded the Italian Socialist Unity Party (PSU), which sought to continue the tradition of democratic socialism.
Opposition to Fascism and Exile
The rise of Benito Mussolini and the establishment of the Fascist regime in Italy marked a dark chapter in Turati’s life. As an outspoken critic of fascism, Turati was targeted by the regime, which sought to silence all opposition.
In 1924, following the assassination of socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti, Turati joined the Aventine Secession, a boycott of Parliament by opposition parties in protest against the fascist government. However, the secession ultimately failed to stop Mussolini’s consolidation of power.
In 1926, facing increasing persecution from the fascist regime, Turati fled Italy with the help of fellow socialists, including Sandro Pertini and Carlo Rosselli. He first sought refuge in Corsica and later moved to France, where he continued his anti-fascist activities in exile.
Despite his exile, Turati remained an active and influential figure in the struggle against fascism. He collaborated with other exiled socialists and intellectuals, contributing to the publication “Rinascita socialista” (Socialist Rebirth) and working towards the reunification of the Italian socialist movement.
Legacy and Death
Filippo Turati’s life came to an end on March 29, 1932, in Paris, where he died at the age of 75. His death marked the passing of one of Italy’s most important socialist leaders, a man whose ideas and actions had shaped the course of Italian politics for over half a century.
Turati’s legacy is one of intellectual rigor, moral integrity, and a deep commitment to the principles of social justice and democracy. His vision of socialism as a movement that could coexist with democracy and achieve its goals through peaceful means continues to resonate with those who seek to balance social change with respect for democratic institutions.
Today, Filippo Turati is remembered as a founding figure of Italian socialism, a champion of workers’ rights, and a staunch opponent of fascism. His life and work serve as a testament to the power of ideas and the enduring struggle for a more just and equitable society.
