When Musolini was firmly established in power, he laid down thr structure and policy of his fascist State. First of all, he abolished Parliamentary system and assumed to himself the power to govern the country by decrees and ordinances. All power was centralised in him: thus the Duce became the Dictator. In November, 1926, all opposition parties were dissolved and prison sentences were provided for those who tried to revive the parties or carried on propaganda for their doctrines. Thus one party State was established, with the National Fascist Party as the only party in country. It was hierarchically organised, with Mussolini, the Duce, at its apex, both as its leader and dictator. Members could be admitted to it only after strict tests as to their Fascist character and loyalty.
They were to take an oath of strict obedience and unquestioning loyalty to the orders of the Duce. Mussolini always boasted that “having created the Fascist Party, I have always dominated it.” Indeed, Italy became his State, ruled by his Party. In place of the old Parliament, Mussolini established a new “corporative parliament.” and several other corporations and federations to control the social, economic and political activities of all citizens. They were headed by the Grand Council of Fascism which was made governmental body. It was to work under Mussolini himself, who became both “Head of the State” and “the Leader of Fascism”. Thus the whole structure of the Fascist State, in all its political, social and economic aspects, was organised hierarchically under the Duce who stood at its top.
The Duce and his Fascist State adopted a policy of brutal repression at home. All individual rights and liberties were crushed by means of terrorist reign of killings, kidnappings and beatings of the opponents and critics of the Fascist policy Martial law was proclaimed; censorship was imposed and an official propaganda was conducted. All newspapers and periodicals operated within the limits imposed by the Duce Government. Former socialist and liberal newspapers and periodicals were suppressed and the milder ones were “fascistized” by appointing editors and managers who would uphold Fascist rule.