Italy and the sea

Italy, with its unique geographical configuration, represents one of the main gateways to the Mediterranean, a sea that is not just a division between continents, but a space of connections and opportunities. In this context, the South, with its strategic position at the center of these routes, should be the natural outpost of a development model that values the centrality of the Mediterranean. However, as Dario Fabbri emphasizes, this vocation remains largely unexpressed.

Southern Italy is often perceived as a marginal area, penalized by national policies that, historically, have preferred to look towards Central Europe. This choice has relegated the Mediterranean to a secondary function, ignoring the enormous potential offered by its southern shores.

By changing the cultural perspective, the South could miraculously rediscover itself as a “central and strategic area” and not already “marginal”!

Italy and the sea: An ambivalent relationship

Despite its maritime geographical nature, Italy has always had an ambivalent relationship with the sea. Its post-unification political and economic history has favored a closer bond with the mainland and Central Europe, rather than with the Mediterranean.

Yet, reconciling with the Mediterranean does not mean renouncing this tradition, but rather integrating it into a broader strategic vision. The Mediterranean should not be seen only as an economic resource or a commercial platform, but also as a cultural and political space. Italy has the potential to be a bridge between North and South, between the powerful economy of Northern Europe and the cultural wealth of the Global South, overcoming the traditional dualism between sea and land.

The Mediterranean as a “Medicean” space and of horizontal exchanges

Fabbri proposes to consider the Mediterranean not only as a line of demarcation between North and South, but as a “Medicean” space, a system of horizontal exchanges that unites the eastern and western coasts. This historical vision of the Mediterranean, which in the past saw cities like Venice, Genoa, Tunis, and Alexandria collaborate and prosper, offers a model of cultural and economic integration capable of overcoming geopolitical barriers.

Italy and the Mezzogiorno, thanks to its central position, could once again become the hub of a Mediterranean system that promotes new forms of cooperation. However, this requires going beyond the Economy of the aperitif that characterizes the Italic system, creating a shared narrative and investing in infrastructure and diplomatic relations that favor a network of connections between the two shores of the sea.

Economy and power: Peoples who live by economy and peoples who live by strategic culture

Dario Fabbri introduces a crucial distinction between peoples who “live by economy” and peoples who “live by power”. The former, like Italy, base their prosperity on trade, industry, and ingenuity, while the latter build their international role on strategies of military and geopolitical control. This dichotomy, according to Fabbri, explains many of Italy’s structural weaknesses, historically more inclined to trade than to power.

This economic vocation has ensured well-being during periods of peace, but has exposed the country to vulnerabilities in times of global competition. Italy has been, for example, a weak colonial actor compared to powers like France and Great Britain, unable to reconcile its mercantile tradition with a strategic geopolitical approach. The current challenge is to evolve into a “strategic economic power,” capable of integrating its commercial tradition with an ambitious vision of its international role.

Italy in the Mediterranean: A future to be rebuilt

The fundamental question for Italy is: can it evolve from a country that “lives by economy” to a nation that “lives by cultural and strategic power”? The paradigm shift is possible, but it requires leadership capable of envisioning the Mediterranean as a central space in national politics. This implies investing in maritime infrastructure, fostering cooperation with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean, and promoting a cultural vision that values Italy’s role as a bridge between North and South.

Only through a strong strategic culture, capable of integrating economy, diplomacy, and national identity, can Italy assert its role in the Mediterranean and, consequently, in the world. The challenge is to abandon the “client” mentality, limited to the short term and economic dependence, to embrace a broader and more autonomous vision that makes the Mediterranean not only a resource but the beating heart of a new national identity.

Dario Fabbri Human Geopolitics. Understanding the world from ancient civilizations to today’s powers. Mondadori, Milan, 2022.