City Research Online

Abstract

The migration crisis is analysed here in the context of the fundamental challenges which Italy faces through becoming a country of immigration in a period of recession. It is argued that there has been no serious debate in Italy on multiculturalism, or on religious freedom, despite the growing socio-cultural and religious diversity arising from population movements and international conflict. The analysis begins with the Italian government’s attempts in 2015 to deal with migration and diversity, and the associated domestic conflicts at the levels of both party politics and society. This leads to a discussion of the meaning of the Christian/Catholic identity of the country in its changed conditions. The external dimension of Italian politics is examined in terms of both Rome’s impatient calls for EU help and the weak political position of Italy in relation to the root causes of migration, whether through intervention or diplomatic influence.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedited version of an article published in Italian Politics. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Hill, C., Silvestri, S. & Cetin, E. (2016). Migration and the challenges of Italian multiculturalism. Italian Politics, 31(1), pp. 225-242 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.3167/ip.2016.310114 - See more at: http://journals.berghahnbooks.com/authors/own-articles#sthash.AtFy5jJo.dpuf
Subjects:	J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
Departments:	School of Policy & Global Affairs > International Politics
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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