Responses to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions under authoritarian rule: a comparison between fascist Italy and Portugal during the Estado Novo

Authoritarian regimes in Italy and Portugal during the mid-20th century demonstrated both successes and limitations in disaster management, revealing deep-seated continuities in vulnerability and resilience that persist regardless of political context. Despite their authoritarian nature, reactive management styles, and lack of democratic accountability, both Mussolini's Fascist Italy (1922–1943) and Portugal's Estado Novo (1932–1974) effectively handled post-disaster responses and long-term recovery in certain cases. However, larger-scale disasters strained their resources, particularly when peripheral areas were involved. In Italy, the rebuilding of Mascali after a 1928 earthquake showcased successful integration of style and substance, while Portugal's responses to the 1957/58 eruption on Faial and the 1964 Azores earthquake relied heavily on local leadership. The 1969 Algarve earthquake marked a shift, with the regime mounting an effective response without local prompting due to changes in cabinet personnel and priorities.

Chester, D. K., Branca, S., Coutinho, R., Duncan, A. M., Lotteri, A., & Wallenstein, N. (2026). Responses to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions under authoritarian rule: a comparison between fascist Italy and Portugal during the Estado Novo. Natural Hazards, 122(9). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-026-08155-0