“La democrazia deve preservare il concreto concetto di individuo e non il vago concetto di popolo”. Carlo Antoni su democrazia, liberalismo e individualismo

Carlo Antoni, an Italian philosopher of the 20th century, synthesized Bene- detto Croce’s liberalism with ethical individualism, championing a democracy grounded in universal ethical principles. Antoni advocated for a state that up- holds individual rights without compromising freedom, rejecting both collectiv- ist ideologies and laissez-faire capitalism. His critical embrace of ordoliberalism highlighted the necessity of state intervention to ensure fair competition and in- dividual autonomy. Antoni viewed democracy as a spiritual and ethical domain where individuals transcend personal interests to participate meaningfully in civic life. He argued against the notion of ‘the masses’ as a manipulable entity, assert- ing instead the primacy of individual will within democratic processes. Antoni’s perspective on liberalism emphasized moral energy, rejecting paternalistic wel- fare models while promoting education and equality of opportunity. His legacy endures as a profound critique of totalitarianism and a vision for a pluralistic, ethically anchored democracy.