2008, Volume 14, N°2 - Centre d'études et de recherches ...

Book reviews – Comptes rendus – Buchbesprechungen 179
supernational authority in order to guarantee a long lasting peace) and he defines
the general terms of a political action programme (giving priority to European
unity issues instead of internal state reforms, the usefulness of a minimal but
effective programme to eliminate problems and to put to use conditions favourable
to European unity, the suggestion of American and Italian unification experience as
a model to follow).
As on Ventotene island (chapter III), Rossi’s reflections are broadened by
reading particularly English federalist and German realist literature and by
exchanging views with some personalities who share the federalist idea, even
though starting from a different cultural background. Among these the meetings
with Eugenio Colorni (1909-1944) and above all with Altiero Spinelli (1907-1986)
are extremely important. Together with Spinelli, Rossi elaborates the “Manifesto di
Ventotene” (about which the author underlines the content, still found in Rossi’s
reflection), translates some works about federalism, starts the first contacts with
antifascists in Italy to facilitate the diffusion of the “Manifesto” and to solicit the
publication of other articles individually written (e.g. Rossi studies in depth the
Jacobin aspects of the action for European federation, the economic and social
reforms on federal level, the European citizenship and conscience).
The personal relationship between the two federalists is interrupted in the
summer of 1943 (chapter IV). Rossi is moved to a prison in Rome and after his
release, he follows a double aim. First he tries to propagate the federalist idea by
joining the Partito d’Azione, to which he adheres according to an active willingness
decided upon together with Spinelli and Colorni (adhesion to a national political
party to orient it towards the federalist ideal). Secondly he intends to organize a
meeting of the federalist project supporters in order to define the programmatic
basis and the organizational structure of the group (movement or political party) up
to the Congress in Milano at the end of August 1943. On this occasion very
important decisions are taken and a new political movement is founded: the
Movimento Federalista Europeo. But in the meanwhile the discussion about the
organizational form, the political strategies and the federalist promotion gives birth
to some differences between Rossi and Spinelli. From that moment these
arguments will be present from time to time, without damaging their agreement on
the basic principles and on the priority of the federalist action.
During the exile period in Switzerland (first in Lugano, then in Geneva), Rossi
is involved at three levels simultaneously. The first regards the theoretic reflection
with, as a relevant contribution, the publication of a pamphlet, Stati Uniti
d’Europa, in the summer of 1944 (chapter VI). Secondly, a promotion action on a
double level: the adhesion to the federalist project of the Italian political refugees
(aimed at creating an organizational committee of MFE) (chapter V) and the
European spread of MFE by starting cooperation with Swiss pro-Europe
organizations (Centre d’Action pour la Fédération Européenne, in Geneva) and
contacts with groups of French and German Resistance (which especially Spinelli
cared about). On several occasions, the contrasts with Spinelli get stronger than
ever (chapter VII and VIII). The third stage involves information activities among