Italian hybrid diplomacy

ABSTRACT

The text offers a new assessment of Italy’s contribution to international affairs. Through a more pluralist interpretation of Italian action at international level it is possible to outline an image of Italy as a normative power able to influence the formulation of the principles that determine what is legitimate at international level. Italy’s contribution in recent decades has been crucial in a series of transnational campaigns that have had a significant impact globally. These cases illustrate the role played by Italy in the politics of changing international norms related to human rights. The mobilisations have been the result of a combination of factors, including the intense synergy that has been established between the actions of the Italian government and Italian civil-society organisations. This study analyses eight cases in which such synergy has been positive, leading to a significant impact of Italian hybrid diplomacy on international politics.

KEYWORDS:

• Italian foreign policy
• NGOs
• human rights
• death penalty
• freedom of religion
• Mozambique
• female genital mutilation
• debt cancellation
• migration
• international criminal court
• criminal assets

Interviews

1. Alexandridis Antonis, death penalty, EU, EEAS, Division Human Rights – Policy Guidelines, Department for Human Rights and Democracy, 26 November 2012.

2. Annicchino Pasquale, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies-European University Institute, 3 December 2015.

3. Baruzzo Giulia, European affairs, Libera, 6 July 2017.

4. Bonino Emma, Non C’è Pace Senza Giustizia, Leader, former EU Commissioner and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 14 July 2014.

5. D’Alema Massimo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 29 February 2016.

6. D’Elia Sergio, Nessuno Tocchi Caino, secretary general and on death penalty, 29 November 2011.

7. De Fraia Luca, coordinator campagna Sdebitarsi, 11 April 2016 and 11 July 2017.

8. di Gisi Luigia, death penalty, EU, DEVCO, Unit D1/Governance, democracy, gender and human rights/EIDHR, 20 November 2012.

9. Ferrara Pasquale, MAECI, 20 December 2011 and 18 December 2015.

10. Fontolan Roberto, director Centro Internazionale di Comunione e Liberazione, 4 December 2015.

11. Frattini Franco, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 15 December 2015.

12. Gianfranco Fini, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 17 March 2016.

13. Lotti Flavio, Tavola della pace, 27 April 2007.

14. Marchesi Antonio, president, Amnesty International Italia, 14 December 2015.

15. Marinari Tina¸ death penalty, Amnesty International Italia, 14 January 2015.

16. Mogherini Federica, High Representation of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 12 October 2012.

17. Moro Riccardo, coordinator ecclesiastic campaign for the reduction of debt, Università di Milano, May 2016 and July 2017.

18. Noury Riccardo, spokesperson and death penalty, Amnesty International Italia, 16 November 2011.

19. Pati Davide, vice president and confiscation, Libera, July 2017.

20. Quattrucci Alberto, mediation and peacebuilding, Comunità di Sant’Egidio, October 2014.

21. Romano Don Angelo, international relations, Comunità di Sant’Egidio, 2 December 2015.

22. Santiemma Elena, international relations, Amnesty International Italia, 14 December 2015.

23. Tallei Stefania, death penalty, Comunità di Sant’Egidio, 6 December 2011.

24. Terzi di Sant’Agata, Giulio¸ former Minister of Foreign Affairs, 4 December 2015.

25. Valdambrini Alessandro, death penalty, EU, DEVCO, Unit D1/Governance, democracy, gender and human rights/EIDHR, 20 November 2012.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Raffaele Marchetti

Raffaele Marchetti (Laurea, Rome-La Sapienza; PhD, London-LSE) is senior assistant professor (national qualification as full professor) in International Relations at the Department of Political Science and the School of Government of LUISS. His research interests concern global politics and governance; hybrid and city diplomacy; transnational civil society; (cyber-)security and political risk, and democracy.