The Filangieri-Franklin Letters: Visions for an Ever Closer Union

This talk delves into the profound exchange of letters that began in August 1782 between Gaetano Filangieri, the father of the Neapolitan Enlightenment, and Benjamin Franklin, one of the American founding fathers. Highlighting the significant impact of their correspondence, the discussion suggests that these communications were instrumental in shaping the ideological bedrock of two monumental historical developments: the birth of the United States and the early stages of European integration. Through their dialogue, Filangieri and Franklin not only bridged cultural and intellectual divides but also laid the groundwork for a shared vision of democratic principles and governance that continues to influence global discourse today.