By Christian Blanco
Salvador de Madariaga's (1886-1978) contributions to the Theory and History of the European Union are of outstanding importance, often ignored and must be claimed. Beyond the myth of the man – poet, man of letters, diplomat, statesman, university professor – the work of the Spaniard transcends for being the gaze of Spain in front of the European Union.
Madariaga's activist years (1920-1955) place him in the so-called “first generation of Europeanists”, a generation already active in the times before WWII. In the context of the search for a, as he coined it, “principle of European integration“, he gave greater importance to a more human idea of a “unity in diversity” rather than political or economic one. In the 1920s, Madariaga held various positions such as technical adviser to the Spanish Delegation at the League of Nations Conference, director of the Disarmament section of the League of Nations Secretariat, ambassador of Spain in Washington and in Paris, minister of Public Instruction, then Minister of Justice of the Larroux Cabinet. But what place did Madariaga really occupy in the Spain of his time?
In the context of the search for a, as he coined it, “principle of European integration“, he gave greater importance to a more human idea of a “unity in diversity” rather than political or economic one.
Before WWII, Spain was at its most convulsive in national history. As soon as the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera started, the II Spanish Republic (1931-1939) had passed. The Spanish Civil War took place from 1936 to 1939, and the Dictatorship of Francisco Franco had just begun and would continue for 40 years. The idea of Spain in a “future EU“ was practically impossible and unimaginable. While Europe debated modernity in WWI and WWII and the European Union later consolidated itself as the hulk that ensured the future union of nations, Spain remained almost completely oblivious to the conflict. This is the reason for the almost non-existing participation of Spain in both wars and, partly, also the reason for Spain's Delay in joining the European Union (1985).
So, how was the project of a European Union to be seen through the eyes of Madariaga?
Given this history, if Madariaga's figure didn’t already impress us before, he must now appear to us as a man excessively advanced for his time. So, how was the project of a European Union to be seen through the eyes of Madariaga? In addition to being one of the first to theorize the idea of integration and the importance of these values in matters of law and freedom he showed his criticism and analysis in regards to the Sino-Japanese and Italian-Abyssinian conflicts and general disarmament in Europe as director of the Disarmament Section of the Secretariat of the League of Nations. Madariaga was a man of peace, and even a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937, but he also contributed to our contemporary idea of the EU.
Madariaga was a man of peace, and even a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937, but he also contributed to our contemporary idea of the EU.
Madariaga's activism after WWII was even greater. Between 1946 and 1947, the private organizations supporting a United Europe multiplied. Madariaga participated in the Congress of The Hague in 1948 and his suggestions about drawing up a Charter of Human Rights and creating a common Court of Justice were decisive. Back then, there was one side endorsing a more federalist idea for the future EU, and another side that was committed to intergovernmental cooperation through permanent institutions. Madariaga is part of the first group. Notably, we are talking about an early phase of the theory of federalism, which has not yet reached the high intellectual level of what followed in subsequent decades. Madariaga thought that “if we wanted to shield Europe and avoid a possible US domination, we had to imitate or assimilate its structures”, so the EU would become a plurality of nations – a "unity in diversity".
Madariaga thought that “if we wanted to shield Europe and avoid a possible US domination, we had to imitate or assimilate its structures”, so the EU would become a plurality of nations – a "unity in diversity".
In this context, Madariaga also thought of a "Europe on the move", predisposed to extend or modify its borders as it was being built; even if this meant moving towards the East. Thanks to the models proposed by Madariaga after 1948, the EU has its own legal system, in addition to a European community law that prioritizes respect for the internal rights of the Member States. This independence of the Member States in combination with common cooperation in an area that is not only geographical, but also political and spiritual. Madariaga believed that without common values, no idea of a market or common government was possible. This is how the Spanish diplomat speaks of the "European supernationality [sobrenacionalidad europea]", a kind of federalist regime that simultaneously respects the singularity and freedom of action of nations.
Thanks to the models proposed by Madariaga after 1948, the EU has its own legal system, in addition to a European community law that prioritizes respect for the internal rights of the Member States.
And there’s more: Madariaga was a pioneer believing in the idea of a Europe where its citizens moved freely, speaking of a "Europe without borders". Hereby, taking his idea of federalism to a strange place that many critics have tried to decipher later. For Madariaga, Europe is a civilization in constant movement, ready to extend its limits. Therefore, he thought of a confederated Europe in the long term.
In this context, the Spaniard insisted on a diplomatic structure and an external representation of the European Union vis-à-vis the rest of the world, in the consecration of international relations. It is for this reason that he co-founded the College of Europe in Bruges, to train students and diplomats with these values and for this purpose. Today, it is perhaps the most representative university in the field. In short, a Spaniard who had not even seen how his country finally took shape; who would not see it in his lifetime–; and who, might be thought to have not started from the best scenario, still exercising functions in times of dictatorship, was able, with his genius and imagination, to contribute to shaping the wonderful project of the European Union. Thanks to voices like his, the European Union has become reality.
More from Salvador de Madariaga: Portrait of Europe (1967), Morning Without Noon: Memories (1973), Disarmament (1929)
Christian Blanco. Christian Blanco has been a contributor at BridgeEurope Blog since March 2022. He studied a B.A. in Art History, a M.A. in Philosophy, a M.A. in History, Philosophy and Science, and he will soon begin a M.A. in Diplomacy. His work specializes in the Ethics Committee, Scientific Diplomacy, and Philosophy of the EU. He pursued his studies and employment experience in Madrid, Vienna and Brussels.
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