Values versus Relativism: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Europe’s mission in confronting the ‘axis of evil’

The Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards are held annually in autumn during UN General Assembly Week in New York. The event recognises people who embody the concepts and values of global citizenship. Traditionally, the event gathers a high-level international audience: heads of state and government, business executives, media and community leaders.

This year, Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy and a vivid example of the right-wing, was among the nominees at the awards ceremony. Meloni was recognised for her role as Italy’s first female prime minister, her strong support for the European Union and the transatlantic alliance, and her presidency of the G7 this year.

‘By highlighting such outstanding people… we hope to inspire others to emulate their contribution to creating a better world,’ – commented Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council. ‘At thesame time, we emphasise our continuing mission to “co-shape the global future” with partners and allies. This goal has taken on greater urgency as we navigate geopolitical risks that include wars in Europe and the Middle East and ongoing tensions in Asia. Rarely has the work of our laureates and the Atlantic Council been so important.’

Europe should not only condemn its negative actions in the past, but also highlight its achievements

In her speech, the Italian Prime Minister noted that the right-wing in Europe has been in crisis over the past decade. She stressed that the West, while trying to apologise for its past actions, often forgets about its achievements.

There are, of course, shameful pages in European history, including the so-called ‘race for Africa’ between European states. For example, Leopold II, King of Belgium, is notorious for his cruelty, and his rule in the Congo remains one of the most controversial and scandalous pages in Belgian history. This autocrat created the Belgian Congo, which became his personal possession, not a state. He exploited the local population for the production of rubber and ivory, which led to the massacre and exploitation of millions.

Thus, European colonialists once ‘broke the wood’ in Africa, in particular by involving the continent in the slave trade, which permanently deprived Africans. Of course, we need to talk about and condemn these shameful historical episodes, as they left a deep mark on the history of the Black continent.

At the same time, there were trends and processes in the West that contributed to the end of slavery. It should be noted that slavery in Africa existed before the arrival of European colonisers, but it was European countries, in particular Great Britain, that played a key role in its abolition.

So, along with the negative aspects, it should be recognised that the West brought many benefits. That is, along with condemning negative things, where it is absolutely necessary, progressive achievements should also be emphasised. For example, the British Empire, which was one of the largest colonial powers in history, established many colonies around the world, including parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. This helped the United Kingdom to make huge gains and expand its power.

However, despite this, the British Empire was also one of the first countries to ban slavery. Thus, in 1807, the British Parliament passed the Slavery Prevention Act, which prohibited the slave trade in the British colonies. In 1833, another law was passed that completely abolished slavery in all British possessions.

The peculiarity of history is its ambiguity

There are many examples of the power of Western civilisation in the past that are being stigmatised. A telling example is the damage to the monument to Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in London in 2020 by vandals during the Black Lives Matter protests. The inscription ‘racist’ appeared on the monument’s pedestal, which caused a public outcry. The incident was part of a wider wave of protests against racism and colonial legacies around the world, which were intended to draw attention to the systemic racism and injustice faced by black people. The vandalism of monuments, such as the Churchill monument, has become a symbol of the struggle against historical injustice and colonialism.

The precedent has sparked many discussions about how society should treat historical figures who had controversial views or actions. Moreover, Churchill has been compared to Hitler on the global web. Some argue that both leaders had strong beliefs and used rhetoric to achieve their goals. However, it is clear that such comparisons are very controversial, as Churchill and Hitler had very different political and moral positions. Churchill is known for fighting against Nazism and defending democracy, while Hitler was a dictator responsible for mass murder and genocide.

It is paradoxical that such accusations are made against a man who, on the contrary, made efforts to protect his nation from destruction and prevent the victory of Nazism. Another paradox is that both the far right and the far left criticise Churchill, calling him a global evil.

This is another example that causes a lot of emotion and debate: Christopher Columbus, famous for his voyages to America, has become a controversial figure in modern society. Left-wing activists often criticise him for his mistreatment of indigenous peoples and colonial expansion, which led to significant suffering and the destruction of cultures.

Interestingly, there is a scene in The Sopranos where Columbus’ legacy is discussed. This reflects a wider debate in society about how we should treat historical figures who have had a significant impact but were also involved in atrocious acts. Some people believe that such figures should be reinterpreted or even removed from public space, while others believe that they should be left as part of history, but with a context that explains their actions.

No prophet in his own country

As for the problems faced by the Old World, Melanie believes that the first and foremost is oikophobia. This term refers to a negative attitude or aversion to one’s own culture, traditions, or national identity. Oikophobia literally translates as ‘fear of home’. This term was once popularised in the context of political and cultural discussions in the West by the British philosopher Roger Scruton. He believed that intellectual elites could be prone to oikophobia, rejecting their own culture in favour of global or foreign values.

Criticism of approaches to the concepts of patriotism and nation

In her speech, Giorgia Meloni also criticised modern approaches to such concepts as patriotism and nation. Today, many in the West have a cool attitude towards them and even call her a fascist for using such terms. However, for her, it is not a desire to show superiority or collective authoritarianism, but a state of mind where citizens feel proud of their flag, of being part of a particular state, and spend their time and resources on improving their homeland.

According to Maloney, the West is first and foremost a system of values where the individual is central and all citizens are equal and free, regardless of age, gender, religious beliefs or nationality.

This system is democratic, life is sacred, and the state is based on the rule of law. The Italian Prime Minister noted that such values have allowed Western civilisation to make progress and improve the quality of life.

Georgia Maloney also noted that the superiority of Western civilisation can make the West a less reliable interlocutor for other countries. She emphasised that the global south is demanding more influence, and developing countries are now mostly cooperating with each other. Autocracies are gaining strength, and the West may find itself in the role of a fortress facing itself. She also noted that there are institutional problems that may need to be addressed by creating new formats of cooperation. This is not about lowering the standards for joining the EU (since everyone can join the BRICS), but rather keeping them at the traditionally high level. It is necessary to develop a mechanism by which the West could cooperate with other countries, setting minimum requirements, such as the absence of totalitarianism and the destruction of certain categories of population on ethnic or religious grounds. She also pointed out the importance of cooperation with the countries of the south and mentioned the Mattei plan, which not only involves cooperation with African countries, but also reduces the flow of illegal migration. Meloni stressed that the enemies of democracy often call it a regime for the weak, which leads to decadence, but the West must resolutely show patriotism and prove that this is not the case.

Turning to the Ukrainian issue, Maloney stressed the need to support Ukraine. It is important that the right-wing forces do not gain the upper hand. Europe has all the resources to restore global leadership. It is important that all political forces stand firmly on their traditions and the opportunities provided by the past. It is impossible to defeat the ‘axis of evil’ on the basis of relativism and the absence of any position. It is possible to win only on the basis of the values that made Europe great and civilised.

Tetyana Morarash