Under a Multinational Mantle: Italy's Participation in the G-7 (1975-1976)

The paper aims to retrace how the turning point that led to Italy’s participation in the group of the most industrialized Western countries was reached, the resistance that had to be overcome and the motivations that guided the choices of the parties involved. On the basis of extensive research in archives, it focuses on the diplomatic action by the Italian government and its effort in order to not be cut off from a directorate, an exclusive club of major Western powers. Behind Italy’s interest in being accepted as a member of the G6 in Rambouillet were mixed political and economic motivations - the latter being just as important as the former.The Italian government had obtained a significant result: a legitimate place at the table of major Western powers, where crucial economic issues of concern to Italy were discussed.