Basso, Lelio

Born Dec. 25, 1903, in Varazze, Savona Province. Figure in the Italian workers’ movement.

Basso had advanced legal and philosophical training. He has been a member of the Socialist Party since 1923. Under the fascist dictatorship (1922–43), he was repeatedly imprisoned and exiled. In 1943 he was one of the organizers of the underground Italian Socialist Party (ISP) in northern Italy, which was occupied by the German fascist aggressors (1943–45). Later, he was a member of the governing bodies of the ISP, and secretary (1947–48) and vice-secretary of the party. Since 1957 he has been one of the leaders of the party’s left wing.

Basso was one of the founders of the Italian Socialist Party of Proletarian Unity (1964). From 1964 to 1972, Basso was a member of its central committee. From 1964 to 1968 he was a member of the party leadership, and from 1966 to 1968 he was president of the central committee of the party. Since 1972 he has been an independent leftist. He was a deputy in Parliament at all the convocations after World War II.

Basso is the author of works on historical and political subjects. He is an eminent lawyer. Since 1960, Basso has been assistant professor of the sociology of developing countries at the University of Rome.