Germany, Italy and the Reform of the UN Security Council. A multi-level analysis approach

Abstract: The point of departure of the present study is the recent debate about the reform of the UN Security Council. Two EU members, i.e. Italy and Germany, have actively taken part in such debate and have presented two contrasting reform proposals. Germany claims a permanent seat whereas Italy pushes for a system of regional representation with a view to make room for the EU after a true common foreign policy is achieved. The aim of this thesis is mainly empirical in that it seeks to shed light on the motives driving Italy and Germany to adopt conflicting positions about SC reform in the face of similar conditions, that is, among the others, being part of the CFSP mechanisms and being committed UN members. To address this problem I resort to a Foreign Policy Analysis approach and I carry out a multi-level analysis intended to explain the influence of the international environment, of domestic politics and of individual learning processes of key decision makers on a country's foreign policy action. After a careful assessment of the different weight of the factors pertaining to the three analytical levels I conclude that the conduct of Germany and Italy is influenced by a combination of international factors and how they are perceived and acted upon by decision makers, with domestic factors exercising a lesser influence.