Italy and NATO expansion to the Balcans. An examination of realist theoretical framework

Издательство: Carocci editore

ISBN: 88-430-3312-3

The book critically evaluates Italian foreign and security policy after the end of the East-West pision, presenting the explanations which different theoretical perspectives in the study of international relations provide of this policy. More specifically, it addresses some fundamental questions about Italy’s international role, such as its relationship with the United States and the European partners, and contributes to clarifying the development and value of theory in foreign policy analysis. This approach, evaluating the usefulness of contending theoretical frameworks, is very innovative for the study of Italian foreign and security policy, which has traditionally relied on empirical descriptions. The book identifies in Italy’s support for NATO expansion to the Balkans an important case study for understanding the country’s conduct on the international stage after the end of the East-West pision. This support reflects a gradual evolution in Italian policy at the regional level, particularly towards the Balkans and the Mediterranean. However, although Italy has assumed a more proactive role in these regions, this evolution has not been unilateral but, on the contrary, has confirmed the fundamental importance of NATO and the European Union for Italy.