European Integration in Historical Perspective

• The text discusses various theories and movements towards federalism and European unity throughout history, with a focus on the period leading up to World War II.
• Federalist theory posits that republican states are necessary for freedom, democracy, and justice, but international anarchy makes it difficult for these principles to be consolidated within individual states.
• Proudhon's federalism envisions a confederation of states where central authority is subordinate to member states, with the municipality being the primary center of organization. He rejects the idea of a state due to its exploitative nature.
• Mazzini sought Italian political unity and European unification, with the belief that the nation was a vehicle for achieving freedom and universal brotherhood.
• Cattaneo, a forerunner of 20th century European federalism, denounced the authoritarian nature of the unitary nation-state and proposed a federal solution for Italian unification and European peace.
• The League of Nations was founded in the aftermath of World War I, but Einaudi, a critic of the League, saw it as a mere confederation and believed that only a federal union could bring true peace.
• The Paneuropa Movement was initiated by Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi in 1923, aiming to address the problem of Europe's division and inability to maintain peace and independence.
• The Ventotene Manifesto, written by Ernesto Rossi, Altiero Spinelli, and others in the 1940s, called for a free and united Europe, drawing inspiration from English federalist literature. The manifesto gained widespread circulation and influenced European integration efforts.
• Key figures and movements mentioned include Junius, English federalist literature, the canteens, the Briand-Stresemann pact, Lord Lothian, and the Federal Union movement.
• The texts discuss the development and dissemination of ideas regarding European unity and federalism throughout history, with a focus on the intellectual and political movements that led to the creation of the European Union.

Explore the concept of European Integration in a long-term historical context, from its origins to its development over the centuries. Delve into the uncertain definitions from geographical and political perspectives and examine influential philosophers' views, like Immanuel Kant's contribution to the idea of European cooperation.