The Italians in Europe

In: The Australian journal of politics and history: AJPH, Band 46, Heft 1, S. 21-32

Abstract

Given Italy's reputation for fiscal profligacy, the zeal with which Italians strove to meet the strict budgetary & other criteria to qualify for full participation in the European Monetary Union might be in need of explanation. On a wider front, Italy has displayed an enthusiasm for European integration that has been largely free of the reservations occasionally shown by member-states of comparable size & importance. This paper considers explanations that have been advanced for Italians' pro-European attitude, such as Catholic universalism & Roman imperial traditions, but rejects them as insufficient, in order to argue that the modern experience of the nation-state in Italy has failed to produce a strong sense of allegiance to a national identity, encouraging Italians to look to the European level of supranational institutions. Furthermore, it is argued that this lack of strong national allegiance in Italy is not simply a negative characteristic, but has allowed for the preservation of traditions of localism, federalism, & social partnership in Italy, which are potentially valuable contributions to a future configuration of the European Union. Adapted from the source document.