30/06/2014
Massimo Castaldo
The German question is at the centre of European history since Charlemagne. With the Arabs’ conquests, the political centre of the continentmoved fromtheMediterranean to northern Europe,
where some north-western regions were unified by Charlemagne under his sceptre. Charlemagne’s Empirewas short-lived, butwas succeeded by theHoly Roman Empire which was formed after Otto of Saxony’s victory at Lechfeld (955) against an invasion of the barbarians Magyar. Otto was crowned in Rome first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (962). The reborn Roman Empire, usually called «the Empire», was a loose confederation of large and small
independent States (kingdoms, principalities, free cities) often quarrelling between them. The emperor was elected by the most important kings and princes (seven great electors at the
beginning). Germany, at the heart of the Empire, was by its large population, its resources, its armies the coveted prey of the great powers, because who could conquer Germany and be elected
to the imperial throne would rule Europe and who ruled Europe would rule the world.
Giovan Battista Verderame
Inspired by an episode of his diplomatic life, when he was ambassador of Italy to Hungary, and in the light of the growth of political parties expressing anti–European positions, theAuthor seeks to recover the reasons for the permanent validity of the European dream.
After a brief reconstruction of the development of the idea of Europe in the European culture, the article goes on recalling the major challenges facing the European countries at the present time and emphasizing the importance of a coordinated action to address them. The peculiar features of the process of European integration are recollected and a close examination is done of the main reasons which are more often indicated at the base of public
opinion’s disaffection toward the European Union. According to the Author, the best way to counter these trends and strengthen the adherence of the European people to the integration project is a strong action aimed to developing a true European consciousness.
Costantino Moretti
Many authors cited Slovak nationalism, social differences, political and economic reforms as the four foremost reasons for which the State of Czechoslovakia dissolved. The main aim of this article, with an excursus on the history of the State, is to shy away fromthe traditional explanation of nationalism and lean more towards the economic, political and social differences that were present in Czechoslovakia.
Guido Lenzi
The Nuremberg trials, at the end of the SecondWorldWar, have been criticised for their lack of an applicable positive law. A similar objection has been raised with respect to the ad hoc International Tribunals and the International Criminal Court, prosecuting individuals rather than States. Disregarding the fact that the age-old jus gentiumremains the common lawuponwhich the very system of international relations rests. The purpose of international jurisdictions is not to substitute the ‘natural’ national judge, but to stimulate and supplement it whenever it proves
unable or politically unwilling to proceed.
Federico Sperotto
On May 23, 2013, at the National Defense University, Barack Obama gave a speech titled The future of our fight against terrorism, in which he remarked his strong commitment to finish the
work of defeating al-Qaeda, while affirming that the «Long War» should definitely come to a close. He allowed himself a full year to determine how workable his plan was. Then, on May 28,
2014, before the cadets ofWest Point, delivering his (not so detailed) foreign policy for the years to come, he finally explained his new counter-terrorism strategy: «Move to a train-and-advise
mission in Afghanistan [...] to more effectively address emerging threats in the Middle East and NorthAfrica».
Danilo Veneruso
Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Benito Mussolini was expelled from the Socialist Party because of his dissent on the neutrality issue. In his mind, the World War was equivalent to the social revolution. For this reason, he moved from Socialism to Nationalism and in 1919 founded the Fasci nazionali, which became more and more relentless against Socialists
and Communists, emerged in 1921. On the other hand, Giacomo Matteotti was against violence, in the wake of Turati, who was contrary to the civil war. He revivedMarxist revisionists, without
appeasing the far right.
