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Italy in International Relations

The Foreign Policy Conundrum

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Offers a bold and interesting approach to Italy’s post-Risorgimento history

  • Combines international history with Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA)

  • Explains how Italy has failed to be taken as seriously as the other three big European states and the critical interplay between internal and external factors

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Emidio Diodato, Federico Niglia
    Pages 1-6
  3. March 1861. The Challenging Myth of the Post-Imperial Legacy

    • Emidio Diodato, Federico Niglia
    Pages 29-47
  4. September 1943. Democratic Transition and International Adjustment

    • Emidio Diodato, Federico Niglia
    Pages 49-73
  5. February 1992. Italy in a Post-Bipolar World

    • Emidio Diodato, Federico Niglia
    Pages 75-100
  6. Conclusion

    • Emidio Diodato, Federico Niglia
    Pages 101-105
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 107-123

About this book

This book aims to provide an overview of Italian foreign policy from the moment of unification to the establishment of the European Union. Three turning points are crucial in order to clarify Italy’s foreign policy: 1861, the proclamation of the Italian Kingdom; 1943, when Italy surrendered in World War II; 1992, the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. The international position of Italy continues to be an enigma for many observers and this fuels misinterpretations and prejudices. This book argues that Italy is different but not divergent from other European countries. Italian elites have traditionally seen foreign policy as an instrument to secure the state and import models for development. Italy can still contribute to international security and the strengthening of the EU. At the same time, Italy is not a pure adaptive country and has always maintained a critical attitude towards the international system in which it is incorporated. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • Università per Stranieri di Perugia , Perugia, Italy

    Emidio Diodato

  • Department of Political Science, Libera Università Internazionale, Rome, Italy

    Federico Niglia

About the authors

Emidio Diodato is Associate Professor at Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Italy.

Federico Niglia is Adjunt Professor at Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, Italy.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access