Italian Foreign Policy in 2010: Continuity, Reform and Challenges 150 Years After National Unity

Abstract:

Some historical constants affect the current trends of Italy s foreign policy: a condition of vulnerability and insecurity, an uncertain international standing, the anchor to bilateral alliances or systems of alliance with stronger actors, a deficit of capabilities and, finally, a scarcity of public interest.

Against this background, Italy s foreign policy in 2010 suffered three other political processes which are putting the country s international role into question: the further weakening of the multilateral context, the effects of the economic crisis and the internal political and institutional crisis. This paper examines, in particular, two aspects of Italy s foreign policy in 2010: the growth of bilateral activity and the reform of some forms and means of the international projection.