Changing and yet the same? Italy’s foreign policy ideas and National Role Conceptions in a populist age

Abstract

ABSTRACT The foreign policy objectives of nations typically stem from their perceptions of global dynamics, often shaped by specific National Role Conceptions (NRCs). This study considers these conceptions as articulated in the programmatic speeches of Italy’s Prime Ministers and Foreign Affairs Ministers from 2016 to 2022, a period marked by the governance of five administrations, some supported by populist parties. The primary objective is to discern the NRCs underpinning Italy’s foreign-policy objectives and strategies, aiming to identify significant departures from the approaches of previous governments. Additionally, the research aims to ascertain whether recent Italian foreign policy exhibits traits characteristic of populist agendas as discussed in the International Relations literature. The key finding reveals notable consistency, reflecting internal coherence and continuity in Italy’s foreign-policy framework. Populist narratives, it appears, remain largely confined to the domain of rhetoric, exerting minimal influence on actual foreign policy directives. However, this continuity also implies a limited capacity to adapt to the rapidly evolving global landscape, potentially undermining the efficacy of Italy’s foreign policy in the future.