Italy

Italy is less a single nation than a dense concentration of civilizations layered in one place. From Rome to the Renaissance, from papal power to mercantile city-states, Italy has repeatedly shaped how the West understands politics, art, law, religion, and beauty. Few countries have exerted such disproportionate influence while remaining politically fragmented for so long. Modern Italy—unified only in the 19th century—still carries the imprint of its past: fiercely local identities, regional cultures, and cities that once ruled empires of their own. To understand the Roman idea of empire, the birth of modern capitalism and diplomacy, the Catholic Church, or the enduring power of art and food in everyday life, Italy is indispensable.

1. 1 Italy is foundational to Western political, legal, and cultural traditions—from Roman law to Renaissance humanism.
2. 2 Its city-based history explains modern regionalism, identity politics, and the limits of centralized power.
3. 3 Italy’s experience with fascism, resistance, and postwar democracy offers lessons for modern politics.
4. 4 As a cultural superpower, Italy continues to shape global tastes in art, architecture, cuisine, and design.
5. 5 Italy sits at the center of modern European challenges—migration, aging populations, and political volatility.