IMO the difference meant here is that he is not saying that Italy is a full blown communist state in the mold of the USSR or China or Cuba but that it has adopted what the poster feels are some of the traits he associates with communism.A more apt description might be socialist.
That's pretty accurate.
Communism is as more of a marketing tool and it is a misnomer. They do not want to end private ownership or anything remotely similar. They are left leaning, clearly, and are as unorganized as their right side counterparts. If you looked at the factions(that do exist) in the US Democratic party, and split that party up into 3 or 4 groups, ditto with the Republicans, you would have a multiparty system more similar to Europe.
Italians share with Americans a deep mis- and distrust of government. I would not say that it is hated, like many Americans seen to harbor, but it is looked upon as corrupt and inefficient.
I think it is worth remembering that Germany and Italy both have very strong leftist parties
by design. Fascism had real meaning here and the governments formed after the war were skewed to ensure a strong left to balance the (perhaps instinctive) right leanings of the populace.
I'd also add, that in direct opposition to the American perspective, it is immensely un-Italian to die for someone else's cause. IMO There is far too much concern about competing with friends, neighbors and colleagues to worry about what is happening even in the next town.
