Patterns of isolationism: a quantitative assessment of Italy’s defence and foreign policy from government alternation to ‘grand coalitions’

This article examines how Italy’s projection abroad has changed in terms of its capabilities. Budgetary allocations to the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs are examined to understand whether and how spending on these policy areas has varied as an effect of the economic crisis. The number of troops deployed in military operations and the mandate under which they operate are analysed to verify whether the use of military force has changed, quantitatively and qualitatively, in the last few years. Although this article is centred on the recent ‘grand coalition’ governments, namely those of Enrico Letta and Matteo Renzi, trend analysis is used to determine patterns of change or continuity in Italian foreign policy (IFP) over time and across executives.