In 1935 Mussolini wrote, "For Fascism the state is absolute, individuals and groups relative." Show how his rule of Italy reflected these beliefs.

Mussolini continued to put state affairs over individual or group affairs when it came to economic policies. He forbid the construction of new factories or the expansion of old ones without governmental consent. The government reorganized the iron and steel industries, expanded hydroelectric plants, and embarked on other public works projects. He introduced many 'battles' against matters that needed improvements. He tried to make Italy self-sufficient in food and to increase the Italian population - farmers were encouraged to grow more wheat (the Battle for Grain), families were encouraged to have more children (the Battle for Births), and land for agriculture (the Battle for Land) was reclaimed. His aims, in the economic factor, were called 'productivism,' which was a battle to increase production. Within the Fascist Party there was a protection of private property and an encouragement of classes. Mussolini established a Corporate State, whose intention was not to destroy capitalism, but to create a new democracy. In theory, it was going to be a new type of democracy, but in practice, it was another form for Mussolini to gain strength and support. In 1934, Mussolini formed 22 corporations, or guilds, representing workers and employers in all phases of the economy. Each corporation included Fascist Party members on its governing council and had Mussolini as its president. These councils were organized into a National Council of Corporations.

As alluded to, Mussolini established new social policies, which were, in his mind, beneficial to the country. One of his various social policies was the institution of women's roles in society. Mussolini was, above all, a chauvinist machista. To him, women were only intended to bear children and stay at home; "Women must obey...my idea of her role in the state is in opposition to all feminism. Naturally she shouldn't be a slave, but if I conceded her the vote, I'd be laughed at. In our state, she must not count." Fascist ideology replaced the ideology of "different but equal" to "different but subordinate." Many of the lower and middle class men felt threatened by the increase in women in the workplace. A woman's duty, in the eyes of the state, was to procreate. Mussolini wanted to increase the population for two reasons. His first reason was to create a large number of people for cheap labor and his second, was that Mussolini believed a country's dominance could be measured by its people. As a result, Mussolini passed pieces of legislation to help increase Italy's population. Mussolini implemented a bachelor's tax for all men in order to encourage men to marry. He also offered loans as an incentive for married couples to have children. Furthermore, the prevention of increasing the population (i.e. abortions and birth control) was a major crime against the state and was prosecuted as such. In education, Mussolini demanded that the school be inspired by the ideals of fascism and to train Italian youth to understand fascism and live in the historic climate created by the Fascist revolution. In order to obtain such demands, the schools and education systems were gradually reformed; schoolbooks were rewritten, all teachers in schools and universities had to swear an oath to defend Fascist regime, and boys were expected to become soldiers, and all children were encouraged to join the Balilla - an organization which trained them to be good fascists. The year 1922 was renamed the Year One, since that was when Mussolini came into power.

As can be seen, Mussolini was not concerned with the well being of the individual, but rather the state. His policies were intended to benefit Italy, as a country. His major concern was to bring Italy back to the great power it had once been in the Roman ages. "The State above all."