Abstract

The article illustrates the links between the two dynamics of Europeanization presented in the literature, the top-down and the bottom-up dynamics. The first one emphasises the impact of the EU on national policies, politics and polity, the second one emphasises the role of a Member State in the EU. In particular, the article presents how and when the top-down Europeanization can foster a more active presence of a country in the European arena. Taking Italy and its role in the reforms of European Cohesion Policy Regulations as case study, it shows how and why Italy has been able to overcome its role of EU policy-taker and become an EU policy-shaper.