afinitetista

An afinitetista was a supporter of the Italian Fascist policy of "fascist affinity," a concept that emerged in the late 1930s. This policy aimed to align Italian Fascism with other authoritarian and nationalist movements, particularly those perceived as racially kindred or ideologically similar. The term "afinitetista" itself derives from the Italian word "affinità," meaning affinity or kinship.

The afinitetista ideology was most strongly associated with the racial policies introduced by the Fascist regime, particularly the Manifesto of Race in 1938. This manifesto, and the subsequent racial laws, sought to define and categorize Italians, often drawing parallels with other European populations that were deemed "Aryan." Afinitetistas believed in a shared cultural and biological heritage that bound certain nations together, justifying alliances and, in some cases, territorial ambitions.

This was not a formal political party or a clearly defined organization but rather a current of thought within the Fascist movement. Afinitetistas often advocated for closer ties with Nazi Germany, seeing the National Socialists as a natural ally. They also looked to other European nationalist movements, particularly those in Eastern Europe, as potential partners in a new European order dominated by authoritarian regimes. The concept played a role in shaping Italy's foreign policy during the late 1930s and early World War II, contributing to the Axis alliance. The ultimate impact of this ideology was limited by the military and political realities of the war.