Italy: The Problem of Ultra-Leftist Violence

Abstract

Although 487 named left-wing terrorist groups have appeared in Italy since 1969, only three have made any long-term impact: the Brigate Rosse (BR) or Red Brigades; the Nuclei Armati Proletari (NAP) or Armed Proletarian Nuclei; and Prima Linea (PL) or Front Line. All three of these groups believed in the violent overthrow of the state and in an ill-defined ‘socialist’ society based on Marxist-Leninist and Maoist principles, but their structures, tactics and strategies varied considerably.