The Ventotene Manifesto: the foundations and evolution of the federal idea

The Ventotene Manifesto, developed by Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi, and Eugenio Colorni during their internment, represents a milestone in thinking about a united Europe. This article examines in detail the transition from the concept of sovereign nation-states to a federal supranational community. It analyzes not only the historical circumstances of the document's creation but also its influence on key treaties such as the Maastricht Treaty and the activities of the contemporary Spinelli Group. The text illuminates the revolutionary mechanisms and the role of the avant-garde party in the integration process, and also confronts the authors' vision with today's democratic and identity-related challenges facing the European Union. This comprehensive look at the ideological foundations that connect the Enlightenment with the critique of national hegemony.