For the sake of national interest!

When lives are at stake an individualinstinctively gives priority to the smaller group over the larger; thus thefamily takes precedence over the clan and tribe and the latter two over thenation and certainly the nation over foreigners. Cultural practices andtraditions seek to override instinct by imbuing a sense of loyalty to largergroups over the smaller. This is especially true, in modern times, of nationalvalues which seek to set aside individual instinct by extolling the virtue ofsacrifice for the national good. In doing so the nation becomes the insider andforeigners become aliens whose interests become secondary. The veracity ofthese propositions was seen in the European Union’s (EU) response to COVID-19.

As I write these lines the number ofpositive cases in Italy have reached 110574 leading to 13155 deaths. In Spain104118 persons have tested positive and the death toll has reached a figure of9387. In France 56989 individuals are positive with the infection and 4032 havedied of it. In Germany there are 77981 COVID-19 positive cases  and the deaths are 931. Thus, by now all themajor EU countries have been most severely hit by this virus but of these Italystands somewhat apart for it was the first country to face the brunt of COVID19. It therefore merits special attention not only because of its high deathrate but also because it tested EU’s response to this health crisis that wasaffecting all the other EU members as well.

   

By end February northern Italy showed signsthat COVID 19 positive cases were increasing substantially. On March 1 theItalian government divided the country into three zones. It declared a lockdownin a red zone, a partial lockdown in a yellow zone and asked the rest of thecountry to take preventive measures. On March 4 it closed all educationalinstitutions throughout the country. Within a week thereafter it graduallytightened controls leading to a lockdown of the country. The move was unpopularand resisted by some people while others took government instructions lightly.All this reflects that Italian people’s general irreverent attitude towardsauthority. This is in sharp contrast to Germany where government orders arescrupulously followed. While it will require a detailed medical andsocio-political analysis about the reasons for the great differential inCOVID-19 related death rates in the two countries the different popularapproaches to government advice cannot be overlooked in the spread of thevirus.

As the crises grew in severity Italy askedother EU states for emergency supplies. No country was forthcoming for all hadimposed restrictions on ventilators and personal protection equipment ofdoctors and nurses attending to COVID 19 patients. A video conference was heldof EU leaders for the member-states responses to the virus on March 11 but nocountry was willing to lift export restrictions fearing shortages at home. Thisclearly showed that despite talk of a pan EU approach to common problems and aEuropean spirit the old attitude of looking after the interest of one’s ownnationals especially when human lives were involved prevailed. Significantly,assistance came to Italy from China, Russia and Cuba. Indeed, Cuba sent doctorstoo to Italy.

Speaking to the EU parliament on March 26the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen bitterlyacknowledged, “When Europe really needed to be there for each other, too manyinitially looked out only for themselves. When Europe really needed an ‘all forone spirit’, too many initially gave an ‘only for me’ response. And when Europeneeded to prove that this is not only ‘a fair weather union’ too many initiallyrefused to share their umbrella”. EU is now better co-ordinating its responseto the COVID 19 challenge and also creating a stockpile of essential protectiveequipment for doctors and nurses as well as testing kits. It is here that acultivated European spirit is being invoked to overcome nationalisticresponses. Leaders of all EU countries will pay ritualistic obeisance to thisEuropean sentiment but as Leyen noted when push came to shove they gave it a goby.

The question is if Italy will remember withgratitude the assistance sent by China, Russia and Cuba in its hour of need andif this will find expression in its foreign policy in the future. Certainly,Italy will recall this help in its diplomatic statements towards Russia andCuba in the future. As matters settle down after the crisis is over—and one dayCOVID 19 will run its course after taking its toll of human life whichhopefully will be contained through all the measures that are being undertakenby different countries—some Italians may recall that China is where the virusoriginated and that may reduce their goodwill for Chinese gestures.

History demonstrates that gratitude is nota trait of nations. Their policies and conduct are determined by their interests.Howsoever, Italy may be disappointed with other EU countries, its basicinterests, especially in the economic and commercial spheres, lie in the EU. Itcannot overlook these and chart its own course in foreign policy more than itdoes today notwithstanding its expressions of gratitude for Russia and Cuba.After all it was afamous Italian, Machiavelli, who advised his prince on the importance ofeconomic interests when he said that men sooner forget the death of theirfathers than the loss of their patrimony! Gratitude in nations is ephemeral; economic interests endure.

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