And yet they whent to war with the public support.

History tells us if the people do not support a devastating war you won't be in power long.

Just look east at the time.

Annexing territory along the two countries’ frontier stretching from the Trentino region in the Alps eastward to Trieste at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea was a primary goal and would “liberate” Italian speaking populations from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while uniting them with their cultural homeland.

You got to also remember that the Austrians occupied/had a great deal of influence in northern Italy since the end of the napoleon wars.

The anti Austrian feelings war strong and the chance to "librate Italians" as they put it is the other factor.

Throw in competing claims on the alpine border with both country's.

As I said before.. Even if they did have government who said we aren't taking part... That said government would have not enough support to survive.

Hey the fact Italy did actually go to war with the central powers and not stay neutral backs this case even more.

I think what a lot of people are forgetting or ignoring is the Italian people's strong sentiment to fight Austria its long term enemy at the time.

And the political factions in the country.

Even if they stayed neutral I don't think it would have lasted as government would have collapsed or had a coup (what I bet the allied powers would have backed)

Neutrality was just not a option.

Lenin as a dictator is still a bit messy as being clear cut dictator. . As in 1917 it could be argued his word was quite law yet and needed the collective to agree with him. His power did get stronger with the passage of time

Now my moneys on sidonio pais as the first true European dictator.

Who was in office in December 1917

A lot of people don't remember him as he was killed only a year later in December 1918