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Narratives in power and policy design: the case of border management and external migration controls in Italy

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  • Andrea Terlizzi

    (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies)

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between policy narratives and the design of the Italian border management and external migration control regime in the last two decades. First, drawing from the theory of social construction and policy design and through a qualitative application of the Narrative Policy Framework, the article traces the evolution of narratives developed by key actors in government. Second, it investigates the design of the Italian externalization policy. Empirical material is drawn from government documents and decision-makers’ parliamentary interventions, press conferences, speeches, newspaper interviews and op-eds. The evidence shows that the dominant narratives have remained constant over time. Humanitarian rhetoric has been mobilized to justify and legitimize the implementation of security measures through bilateral agreements signed with African countries. The implications of such a design are relevant in that it poses serious concerns in terms of respect for migrants’ human rights. Overall, the article offers new insights into the empirical investigation of policy narratives and sheds light on the role of narratives in the social construction of migration policy design.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Terlizzi, 2021. "Narratives in power and policy design: the case of border management and external migration controls in Italy," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 54(4), pages 749-781, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:policy:v:54:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s11077-021-09440-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11077-021-09440-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schneider, Anne & Ingram, Helen, 1993. "Social Construction of Target Populations: Implications for Politics and Policy," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(2), pages 334-347, June.
    2. Giliberto Capano & Michael Howlett, 2020. "The Knowns and Unknowns of Policy Instrument Analysis: Policy Tools and the Current Research Agenda on Policy Mixes," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(1), pages 21582440199, January.
    3. Maria Husmann, 2015. "Social constructions of obesity target population: an empirical look at obesity policy narratives," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 48(4), pages 415-442, December.
    4. Claudio M. Radaelli, 1999. "Harmful Tax Competition in the EU: Policy Narratives and Advocacy Coalitions," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 661-682, December.
    5. Yee, Albert S., 1996. "The causal effects of ideas on policies," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 50(1), pages 69-108, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabrizio Coticchia & Marco Di Giulio, 2023. "Nonuse and hypocritical use of strategic narratives in Megaprojects: the case of the Florence high-speed railway," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 42(2), pages 164-183.
    2. Giovanni Esposito & Andrea Terlizzi, 2023. "Governing wickedness in megaprojects: discursive and institutional perspectives," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 42(2), pages 131-147.

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