Il fascismo delle periferie. I prefetti in Terra d'Otranto (1922-24)

This paper intends to deal with a rather debated topic in the context of historiography on fascism, namely the role that the prefects played in its affirmation, especially in the Southern regions. After analyzing continuity and differences in the prefectural functions between the Giolitti age and fascism, especially in relation to the figure of the so-called "political prefect”, the essay offers a reconstruction of the case study of the Terra d'Otranto, focusing attention on figures such as Eugenio De Carlo and Enrico D'Arienzo. The survey highlights the non-negligible difficulties through which the action of the prefectural authority had to unravel in Lecce and in the province, witnessed by rapid changes and removals. Moreover, this signaled the serious problems of consensus and stability in the political direction that fascism had to face, especially in the early years.