Introduction
The Ventotene Manifesto (1941–1942), authored by Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi, and Eugenio Colorni, is one of the most significant ideological documents of the 20th century. Written during fascist internment, it served as a prophetic response to totalitarianism and war. The authors offered a radical diagnosis: the system of sovereign nation-states is the root of European tragedies. This article explores the evolution of this federalist vision, analyzing its impact on the modern European Union and the challenges facing the project of a united continent.
Ventotene Island: The Birth of a Vision for a Borderless Europe
For the Manifesto's authors, state sovereignty had ceased to be a tool of progress, becoming instead the primary cause of Europe's crisis. They argued that competition between absolutely sovereign entities inevitably leads to militarism and expansionism. The solution was to establish a federation with an overarching political structure, which they believed was the only way to guarantee lasting peace.
This model, known as Spinelli’s federalism, represented a revolutionary departure from the logic of nation-states. It differed fundamentally from the vision of other founding fathers, such as Robert Schuman, who favored the evolutionary cooperation of sovereign nations. Spinelli demanded the immediate transfer of real power to supranational bodies, seeing it as the only path to saving civilization.
The Eclecticism of the Manifesto: A Synthesis of Socialism and Liberalism
The document is a unique blend of Marxist dialectics, socialism, and a liberal ethos of freedom. It called for the nationalization of key industries and egalitarian education while preserving individual dignity. However, the concept of a revolutionary vanguard remains controversial. The Manifesto suggested that integration should be driven from the top down by an enlightened elite, even in the face of resistance from an "immature" society.
This elitism of the Manifesto was coupled with deep secularism. The document completely ignores Europe's Christian foundations, basing the project solely on secular rationalism and social engineering. The lack of reference to the theocentric tradition made it an ideological monolith, which continues to spark debates over the spiritual and cultural identity of the united continent.
EU Treaties: Implementing Spinelli’s Federalism
The Manifesto’s influence on EU treaties is fundamental. Although Spinelli’s 1984 draft treaty never came into force directly, it served as the blueprint for the Single European Act and the Maastricht and Lisbon treaties. These legal acts effectively limited the room for maneuver of member states in favor of supranational institutions like the European Commission.
However, top-down integration triggers defensive reactions. Social psychology explains the resistance to federalization as a fear of losing national identity and a perceived lack of influence over decisions. In the face of globalization, migration crises, and populism, the original vision requires an update. Europe needs to transition from integration decreed by elites to authentic civic participation that bridges technocratic efficiency with the emotions of those on the periphery.
Summary
The Ventotene Manifesto remains a living vector of integration that transformed Europe from an arena of competition into a space of solidarity. However, for the old key to fit the gates of the 21st century, it must be reforged. Today’s continent needs a Manifesto 2.0 that combines technocratic rationalism with authentic participation. A new grand narrative must encompass climate change, digital exclusion, and migration, creating a community based not just on treaties, but on every European's sense of agency over their shared destiny.
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