Description
Recent years have witnessed a renewed interest in the study of Italian foreign policy. This panel aims to provide a systematic overview of all aspects of Italian foreign policy and to set the agenda for further research on the subject. Particular attention is given to how the topic of foreign policy is addressed in the political science literature with a focus on policy formulation and decision-making. The panel includes several contributions whose aim is to show new trends in the study of Italian foreign policy, from a comparative perspective or with a focus on international institutions, the role of civil society and political parties. The panel also aims at showing how there are nowadays different ways to study foreign policy following theoretical or empirically oriented approaches. Particular attention is given to the decision-making process and the evaluation of foreign policy effects. Equally important is the historical-theoretical analysis that highlights the distinctiveness of foreign policy among other policies, thus its link to international relations. Are there permanent factors that explain foreign policy directions? What have been the main historical junctures that have influenced policy fractures and positions?
