The Effects of Eurocentric Policy-Making on Italian-North African Relations

Throughout history, migrations have been considered within the realms of the rise and fall of governments, exchange of ideas, and policies implemented. These are especially useful in the consideration of the current migration crisis in Europe, following the 2011 Arab Spring which has unsettled North Africa and the Middle East. While it seems migratory patterns have changed throughout the decades, the reception of African migrants in Italy has remained relatively consistent, perhaps due to a history of subordination of African migrants, from slavery to colonization. The ways that migrants have been poorly assimilated into the workforce, culture, and education system, and the negative depiction of migrants in media, have contributed to growing racism and xenophobia towards foreigners in Italy. An analysis of Italian migration reveals a Eurocentric policy-making process with a heavy concentration on securitization over humanitarianism.

The Effects of Eurocentric Policy-Making on Italian-North African Relations