This is the fourth lesson of the macro topic, “Ventotene Manifesto,” in the first module of EUPress Teacher Training.
The objective of this lesson, led by Prof. Fabio Masini, is to discuss the political legacy of the Ventotene Manifesto.
The Ventotene Manifesto (1941) is often remembered for its bold call to dismantle Europe’s system of sovereign nation-states. But just as important was its reframing of political struggle: rejecting traditional left–right divides, the manifesto reoriented politics around a single imperative — the creation of a federal Europe.
A rejection of “bottom-up” internationalism
At the heart of the manifesto is a critique of what the authors called the “bottom-up approach” to international relations. According to this view, once democracy, socialism or liberalism were established within each nation, peace would follow automatically among states.
The authors — Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi, and Eugenio Colorni — argued the opposite: as long as absolute national sovereignty persisted, conflict would be inevitable. Even democratic or socialist states would revert to national self-interest, militarism, and rivalry.
Drawing a comparison with local identities within a nation-state, the manifesto suggested that only by building a supranational identity and authority — above national ones — could Europe prevent future war.
Rewriting the political fault line
The manifesto redefined the distinction between progressive and reactionary politics. Instead of dividing forces along socialist or liberal lines, it questioned:
- Are you struggling to capture national power (thereby reproducing the old cycle)?
- Or are you working to create new supranational structures of governance?
This reframing was not abstract. It fuelled Spinelli’s later efforts to give the European Parliament direct democratic legitimacy. In 1979, the first direct elections to the European Parliament marked a breakthrough in building that supranational power — even if its competences were still limited.
The controversial third chapter: “Social Reform”
While Spinelli focused on political structure, Rossi (the author of the third part) advanced an economic vision critical of monopolies — whether state, corporate, or even in labour movements.
Among its most contentious claims:
- “Private property must be abolished” where it reinforces monopolistic power
- Natural or strategic monopolies should not remain in private hands
- Trade union monopolies should also be challenged
These economic positions sparked debate even within liberal circles, underscoring the manifesto’s radicalism not just in political terms, but economic ones too.
Legacy: From manifesto to movement
The true power of the Ventotene Manifesto lies in its pragmatic influence. It seeded the creation of the European Federalist Movement, shaped early debates on European unity, and inspired federalist strategies in the post-war decades.
Its concluding call for a “free and united Europe” urges action not merely to seize power, but to build a new constitutional order beyond the nation-state — a vision that remains unfinished, yet foundational to today’s European Union.
