40 years after the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro: The negotiation strategy of Craxi against the wall of firmness

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the strategy of the Italian Socialist party, led by Bettino Craxi against the terrorism of the Red Brigades, during the kidnapping of the Christian Democrat politician Aldo Moro, which took place in March 1978. The work draws on bibliographical sources (academic journals, contemporary newspapers and other printed publications, books), and also on audio-visual records, mainly from the audio files of Radio Radicale. The results provide evidence that Bettino Craxi, for humanitarian and political reasons, applied a different strategy from that of other political leaders: He wanted to save Aldo Moro's life and simultaneously to reinforce his weakened party.

Keywords

• 68 italiano
• terrorismo
• socialdemocracia
• negociación
• guerra fría