Background notes
Source: The Life and Writings of Joseph Mazzini in Six Volumes (volume 1) London: Smith, Elder & Co, 1890; "Autobiographical Notes, 1861," pp 236-38.
Young Italy, therefore, recognizes the universal association of the peoples as the ultimate aim of the endeavours of all free men. It recognises and inculcates the brotherhood of the peoples by every means in its power
However, in order that the peoples may advance together in harmony upon the path of their common improvement, it is necessary they should start from a common basis of equality. Before they can become members of the great association, it is necessary that they should have a separate existence, name and power.
Every people is therefore bound to constitute itself a nation before it occupy itself with the question of humanity.
There exists no true nation without unity.
No permanent and stable unity is possible without independence. Despots, whose object is to diminish the power of the peoples, ever seek their dismemberment.
There can be no independence without liberty.
For a people to watch over their independence, it is necessary they should be free; free men and free peoples alone can judge of the means of preserving their independence; they alone have sufficient interest in its preservation to be ready to sacrifice themselves for it, and they alone are bound to do so.
The aim of Young Italy is then to achieve the unity, independence, and liberty of Italy.
Where power is hereditary, and in the hands of one man, no lasting liberty is possible.
The tendency of power is towards increase and concentration.
Where power is hereditary, the acquisitions of the first are to the advantage of the second. Hereditary power destroys all remembrance of a popular origin in its possessor. Hereditary interests naturally intervene between the ruler and the interests of the nation. This generates a state of strife, which ultimately necessitates a revolution. The aim of every nation that rises in revolution should be to put as speedy an end as possible to that revolution; and the only means of doing so effectually, is to close up every avenue through which the struggle appears likely to be renewed.
Revolutions are made by the people, and for the people. In order to induce the people earnestly to desire revolution, it is necessary to convince them that it is made for their benefit.
In order to create this conviction, it is necessary first to teach them their rights, and then offer them revolution as the means of obtaining the free exercise of those rights.
Consequently, the aim proposed to be achieved by the revolution, must be the inauguration of a popular system; a system, the programme of which is the amelioration of the condition of the most numerous and poorest class; a system which calls all the citizens to the free exercise and development of their faculties, and to the management of their own affairs; a system based upon equality, and which establishes the government upon the elective principle, broadly understood, and organized and applied in the simplest and least costly manner.
This system is the republican.
Young Italy is unitarian and republican.