Why did fascism conflict with Benedetto Croce's ideas about liberty and civic virtue?

Benedetto Croce viewed fascism as a fundamental threat to the moral and intellectual foundations of Italy because it placed the nation or race at the center of existence while disregarding individual rights.1

The conflict between Croce’s philosophy and fascist ideology arose from several key contradictions:

• Civic Virtue vs. Egoism: Croce believed in a society defined by a passion for freedom, a profound sense of civic virtue, and adherence to objective truths. He argued that fascism replaced these values with egoism, where pretentious gestures were substituted for authentic action.1
• Truth vs. Rhetoric: Croce’s ideal for Italian culture required a lifestyle purged of rhetoric and sentimental romanticism. He saw fascism as a movement that allowed rhetoric to dislodge poetry and truth.1
• Individual Liberty: While Croce initially hoped fascism might provide stability, he eventually recognized it as a form of political tyranny that suppressed the individual freedom he championed.1

Ultimately, Croce became a symbol of resistance, using his journal, La Critica, to maintain a space for freedom-loving intellectuals and to advocate for the moral renewal of the Italian nation.12