The Projects of Europe: Philosophical Origins and Institutional Evolution from the 17th‑18th Centuries to Contemporary Integration

by Gjergj SINANI

Abstract
European integration remains the paramount objective for the Balkan states, not merely as a political aspiration, but as an affirmation of democracy and the rule of law, foundational principles for any truly integrated community. The central question addressed by this paper, titled “The Projects of Europe: Philosophical Origins and Institutional Evolution from the 17th‑18th Centuries to Contemporary Integration”, is: When did these ‘projects’ for Europe first emerge? This study argues that the concept of Europe as an ideal has its origins in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially among French cosmopolitan philosophers, whose ideas played a crucial formative role. It then explores how these philosophical projects were actualized in the postWorld War II era, shaping Europe not simply through economic or political cooperation, but as a moral and political ideal rooted in Enlightenment thought. Although in its early expressions the idea was utopian, revisiting it offers critical insight into the institutions of contemporary Europe. The paper concludes that modern Europe is the cumulative outcome of successive intellectual traditions and practical actions. It contends that misunderstandings persist when Europe is reduced to its material dimensions such as monetary union or free movement and argues instead that its essence lies in civic liberty, solidarity, and responsibility. At its core, peace and security remain the guiding political principles; these are inseparable from the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, which together constitute Europe’s enduring pride.
Keywords: Projects for the Europe, Rule of law, Democracy, European integration, Ideas, Institutions