Si vis pacem para bellum : il Psi di Bettino Craxi alla prova degli euromissili

The Euromissiles crisis had an important impact in Italian politics. The Psi, which made the adoption of the double track decision possible, plunged into a deep identity crisis. Many socialists supported the pacifist demonstrations, while Craxi believed that the balance of power was the only viable and effective option in those circumstances. The paper shows how the socialist secretary, with steadiness and charisma, managed to avoid damages to the Party and legitimize his actions both in domestic and in international politics. [Publisher's text].