Rediscovering the European Identity Approach: Umberto Campagnolo and the periodical Comprendre in the 1950s

The Italian philosopher Umberto Campagnolo was a unique player in the Cold War years, being determined to bring about a dialogue between men of culture on intellectuals’ function in society and on European identity beyond the East-West divide. Following the evolution of the politically independent Société européenne de culture founded by Campagnolo in 1950, this essay is based on its periodical Comprendre in order to outline the critical reception of the philosopher’s idea of a universal civilization built on the undogmatic features of Christianity and capable of understanding reality from an historical point of view (the «civilisation de l’universel»). Though mistaken for a neo-colonialist concept, the «civilisation de l’universel» entrusted Europe with the responsibility of fostering peace through its values at a time when a reconsideration of its identity was needed due to growing political and economic integration and the decolonization process.