As a precursor of “the idea of Europe,” Salvador de Madariaga defended a broad and inclusive conception of which territories should be included in “Europe,” advancing that this “idea” encompassed much more than a mere geographical continent. His approach was concomitant with that of Freund’s in the sense that he also considered that “the political is always in preparation of new destinies, whether it’s a matter of construction or of evolution”. Indeed, Madariaga’s particular contributions to the European integration process have been regarded as a form of “constructive Europeanism” within a timeline to be guided by “new generations which are called to orient the transition” as Freund purported.

Published online: 23 June 2021