Meloni’s Italy as a Laboratory for a New Western Conservatism

While the West faces spiritual and demographic decline, authoritarian regimes are taking the issue more seriously, even using coercive methods. Europe and the United States, on the other hand, remain prisoners of progressive and "woke" ideologies that undermine family and faith. In this context, Giorgia Meloni emerges as a point of reference for reversing the course in Europe, and also as Donald Trump's preferred interlocutor.

Introduction

In the early years of the last century, the German philosopher and historian Oswald Spengler coined an expression that was destined to become very famous: that of the "decline of the West." According to Spengler, the "Western world" was (and still is) destined to become extinct, having passed the stage of "culture," which is the creative, spiritual phase full of faith, art, and a sense of mystery, and having entered the stage of "civilization," where materialistic, rationalistic, and technocratic aspects predominate, and the original soul fades away. Today, a hundred years later, this crisis seems more evident than ever, as demonstrated by objective data such as the decline in births and the crisis of the family monad. Formiche.net addressed these topics with Kristen Ziccarelli, Director of Global Coalitions and Senior Immigration Analyst at the America First Policy Institute, who shared her interpretation of the current situation.

The decline in birth rates is an objective fact. This is compounded by a crisis in the family system. Do you believe they are separate phenomena, or part of something larger?

Yes, I believe it's part of a broader crisis in the Western world. What we are witnessing today, from the sharp decline in birth rates to the collapse of the family system, is deeply connected to a spiritual collapse. I believe this crisis stems essentially from the rejection of Christian teachings and the failure of leadership, particularly the abandonment of a government rooted in Christian values and natural law. A major turning point was the sexual revolution and the rise of progressivism during the 20th century. These movements not only diminished the importance of family but also told women that their worth resided solely in their careers, distancing them from their irreplaceable role in nurturing life and culture. This cultural shift has devastated the traditional family model and left many young people disoriented about their purpose in life.

How relevant is the religious aspect?

When people stop believing in God, they begin to see themselves and their lives differently. Without faith, many are no longer willing to accept the sacrifices and beauty of marriage, children, and community. On the contrary, they pursue hyper-individualism, personal fulfillment, and material well-being, often at the expense of what truly sustains civilizations across generations: faith, family, and duty. Unfortunately, many Western nations reject the teachings of life, which means they forget God. We are seeing how this undervalues the sacred vocation of parenthood. But since this leads to extinction, we can see how it is objectively wrong. We must restore the dignity of motherhood and fatherhood and rebuild a culture that honors God, family, and country.

Do you believe the situation is different in alternative systems to the Western one, such as autocratic regimes?

As far as I know, autocratic regimes around the world are responding to the demographic crisis more seriously than much of the Western world. Although their methods are often coercive and incompatible with our values, they recognize a fundamental truth: A country without children is a country without a future. China is also facing the consequences of its one-child policy. Now facing demographic decline and an aging society, the Chinese Communist Party is actively encouraging families to have more children. In the West, we firmly reject the authoritarian models of these regimes, but we should acknowledge that these governments understand the strategic importance of families, even if for reasons of state power. Meanwhile, across much of Europe and the United States, we see elites promoting anti-family ideologies, prioritizing woke messages, globalism, and pushing cultural messages that undermine motherhood, marriage, and faith.

However, Italy seems to be bucking the trend with Giorgia Meloni's government, a model that appears to be expanding more and more, if you look at the latest developments in Japan. Some draw a parallel between her and Margaret Thatcher. Do you see it too?

I see parallels. If Margaret Thatcher's conservatism was rooted in restoring economic discipline and individual responsibility to a Britain worn down by socialism and dependency, Meloni's has to do with a nation (and a continent) demoralized not only by socialism, but also by technocracy, mass migration, and issues of national identity. While Thatcher fought to revive the market, Meloni is fighting to revive civic spirit, borders, and traditions. I believe it is a strong ally of the United States in defending the West, particularly because it publicly declares the need to address current challenges while keeping our faith and historical roots in mind. Your defense of our Christian heritage is very welcome, very necessary, and above all, according to the standards of the governments of countries neighboring Italy, very rare.

And is this why she is a privileged interlocutor for President Trump?

I believe President Trump sees Prime Minister Meloni as a key interlocutor for this moment, someone capable of anchoring Europe's rightward realignment around two essential pillars: sovereignty and tradition. She understands that we are at a crucial moment for civilization and wants to address our problems with realism rather than ideology. She has proven to be a strong and independent leader who puts her nation first. This type of leadership creates the conditions for a healthy transatlantic partnership, based on mutual respect and a genuine alliance.