born Oct. 22, 1842, Mondovì, Piedmont, Kingdom of Sardinia
died July 17, 1928, Cavour, Italy
Italian politician and prime minister five times between 1892 and 1921.
He served in parliament (18821928). As a political leader, he used the technique later called giolittisma , which emphasized personal deals rather than party loyalty, as well as electoral corruption. As prime minister (189293), he instituted reforms but became enveloped in a bank scandal; he cleared himself but greatly damaged his successor, Francesco Crispi . As minister of the interior (190103) and prime minister (190305, 190609), he was both praised and criticized for his calm attitude toward widespread strikes. In his fourth ministry (191114) he oversaw the Italo-Turkish War , then opposed Italy's entrance into World War I. In his final term as premier (192021), he undertook Italy's reconstruction. He tolerated the early Fascists but in 1924 withdrew his support.