Fascism arrested class polarisation before the bourgeoisie formed its own party

Evidence

Throughout 1925, the fascist regime intensified the dictatorial character of its rule. The P.C.L’s traditional view equating fascism and social-democracy was not abandoned, but it now began to be accompanied by a new awareness of fascism as a unifier of the ruling class and expression of its interests. — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 202 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

With respect to fascism, Zinoviev in his opening address tended to dismiss it as a transitory phenomenon. He concentrated his fire on the social-democrats—whom he now defined as the “left wing of the bourgeoisie”. Radek’s report on the capitalist offensive, however, was in marked contrast—and may very well have been influenced by Gramsci. It stressed the petit-bourgeois components of fascism, the sectarianism shown by the proletarian organisations towards the ex-combatants, and the aid of the big bourgeoisie in fascism’s rise to power—while reiterating that the fundamental class contradiction remained that between bourgeoisie and proletariat. — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 126 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Fascism restored class consciousness and organization to the bourgeoisie; Fascism’s rise combined petit-bourgeois base with big-bourgeois patronage — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 126; Fascism unified the bourgeoisie and gave it renewed class consciousness. — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 202

Broader Connections

• Fascism unified the bourgeoisie and gave it renewed class consciousness. #corroborates (0.90) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 202
• Fascism restored class consciousness and organization to the bourgeoisie #contradicts (0.85)
• Fascism’s rise combined petit-bourgeois base with big-bourgeois patronage #qualifies (0.80) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 126