The problem is magnified by the degree of corruption within Italy’s political framework. As mentioned earlier, many of the southern regions have mob influence intricately entangled with local and regional politics. This lends a clientelistic atmosphere to southern Italian politics, reminiscent of many developing countries, especially in Central and South America.
Conclusion
We have seen how the geography of Italy plays an integral role in shaping its inner dynamics. It has been the reason for numerous conquests, occupations, human trafficking and other illegal activities; as well as for a great diversity of culture, one of Italy’s chief exports.
Now into the 21st century and beyond, it will remain to be seen how Italy’s government and people will tackle the long-standing dichotomous issues holding the country back in comparison to its western European counterparts, so that Italy can remain a vital player in the world economy. The disparity between the northern and southern regions, though not as pronounced as during the 20th century, remains an important issue for the Italian government.
But Italy, for all her faults, is a progressively thinking country, thanks to the plethora of ideas which have crossed her shores. After World War II, Italy was a key player in the development and formation of the EU. “Despite the fact that vast political disagreements and economic hardship kept Italy’s leaders weary of committing to the new alliances that were springing up after the war, they remained firmly dedicated to the idea of a united Europe.” This dedication has continued and is a driving force behind northern Italy’s desire to either secede, which is as probable as Texas seceding from the Union despite Italy’s problems, or pull the south up to the north’s standards. The EU helps to homogenize Italy. It is a centripetal force with its regulations and minimum standards. As the EU becomes progressively more powerful than its constituent countries, Italy’s instability may also become a thing of the past, as political structures also become more homogeneous.
Finally, as interconnectivity becomes easier and better, the isolation of the different regions of Italy also is becoming a thing of the past, and with it regional uniqueness. Yet, the same connectivity also strengthens the criminal element, and southern Italy still has a long way to go to rid itself of the corruption and crime inherent in its political structure, a necessary step to give business the confidence to invest there and subsequently raise its economic status to comparison with the north and the rest of Western Europe.
Reference
www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/it.html
www.virginia.edu/iso/ic/old_ic/Docs/Cuisine/italy.html
www.umich.edu/~themafia/RevisedHistory.htm
mafia.blogspot.com
www.ethnologue.com/14/show_language.asp?code=ITN
www.italcultusa.org/DCFAQ.html
www.finetravel.com/europe/italy/understandingitaly.htm
www.businessweek.com/2000/00_48/b3709046.htm
www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0107658.html
people.albion.edu/elf11/eupapers.htm
www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/italy.html
