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The uses of Italian identity to advance political agendas: harnessing the media to influence the parameters of immigration discourse

Fulponi, Christina (2016) The uses of Italian identity to advance political agendas: harnessing the media to influence the parameters of immigration discourse. Undergraduate Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The State’s construction of Italian identity during the Diaspora informs the way the Italian population perceives non-Italians as incompatible with certain elements of Italian culture, specifically Catholicism, Whiteness, and ties to the land. The discourse of the Lega Nord has tried to capitalize on recent immigration to advance their own agenda by using the media to promote specific aspects of this Italian identity. Lega Nord discourse, broadcast by the media, was able to influence the parameters of the immigration debate. This was achieved by the media constructing images of migrants as “others within” the Italian nation through differentiating them based on certain fixed and exclusive elements of identity emphasized in the LN’s rhetoric. By stressing certain elements of identity, the LN has created a political discourse that is hostile to migrants, which serves their political agenda in achieving homogeneity and reinforces their stance on Northern autonomy. Italian identity is not absolute and can be reimagined to emphasize components that create a more inclusive discourse.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Fulponi, Christinacnf19@pitt.eduCNF19
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Thesis AdvisorGoodhart, Michaelgoodhart@pitt.edu
Committee ChairCrage, Suzannascrage@sfu.ca
Committee ChairMcCord, Jenniferjmccord@pitt.edu
Date: 19 August 2016
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 2 August 2016
Approval Date: 19 August 2016
Submission Date: 12 August 2016
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 72
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Political Science
David C. Frederick Honors College
Degree: BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Undergraduate Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Italian Identity, Identity, Italianità, Migration, Media, Immigration discourse, Italian politics, Lega Nord, Silvio Berlusconi
Date Deposited: 19 Aug 2016 17:31
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:35
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/29295

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