A term “utopia” has not only the positive associations. Behind this term are hidden all the fantastic descriptions of non-existent lands, in which good triumphed and life was full of freedom, equality and prosperity. These kind of descriptions you can also find in the Polish literature, for example, “Mikołaja Doświadczyńskiego przypadki” [The Adventures of Mr. Nicholas Wisdom] by Ignacy Krasicki or less well-known “Podróż do Kalopei” [A Journey to Calopea] by Wojciech Gutkowski, who in 1814 developed his vision of the ideal state, built by Polish emigrates in the Western Australia. However, in addition to the projects of the noble dreamers were also created frightening visions by crazy political ideologues and founders of sects who had tried to create an ideal society and a state by using violence and terror. Sometimes, those first turned into the others. On the one hand, we have a long list of treaties and literary works that grow out of protest against injustice, exploitation and humiliation of the majority by the minority. On the other hand, historical experience teaches us that old tyrannies are giving way to the new ones, that implement in a cruel way their plans. Hatred to the old world leads to fight with tradition and religion, the old elite and all who are accused of their defense are exterminated. Belief in a “brave new world” makes it easy to reject any ethical qualms and brakes. Sometimes, however, these radical dreams inspire moderate reformers, and then the pursuit of “happiness of mankind” does not necessarily lead to the systematic rape in the name of the principle “the end justifies the means”. Besides optimistic im-ages of a new fair deal in the achievements of European social and political theory one can also find specific warnings ie. treatises and literary works in which the prediction is dominated by the terrible fate of societies and nations subjected to terror of so called benefactors of mankind. Historical experience, especially from the time of the French and later the Bolshevik Revolution greatly multiplied the number of such “dystopias”, although they had occurred earlier too.

Visions of a perfect social order usually promise to end the wars that have been plaguing mankind since immemorial times and guarantee an era of the lasting peace. In the future, according to the optimists, will disappear causes of wars, such as, unfettered power, the rivalry of individuals and states, conflicts of interests’ group. Law recognized by all will prevent the use of violence, in both individual and collective dimensions. Some have argued here that future “Utopia”, “The City of the Sun” and “Nipu Island“ will be powerful enough to discouraged others from attacking them. However, in case of attack the states will have right to defense, in accordance with the doctrine of just war.

How do ideas of Wojciech Jastrzębowski present themselves against this background? His Treatise on the eternal covenant between civilized nations and Draft Constitution for Europe cannot be classified as totalitarian utopias, the universal social projects requiring the change of everything. The author did not comment on the economic and social relations, religion, morality and customs. He did not criticize the old elite. He even predicted that the ruling European dynasties would remain in power as long as their members would abide the law of nations, and would participate in the system of international cooperation. Those who would not, would be called barbarians, but in the Jastrzębowski’s writings is no notice on bloody carnage. This carefully educated at the Warsaw University scientist wrote impressed by what it had happened on the battlefield of Grochow and assumed “that the bloodshed will not be in vain, that will release sometime [...] blissful fruits of desired by the human race peace.”.

The Jastrzębowski’s concepts stay firmly in the tradition of the Enlightenment, with its faith in reason, progress, and the law of nature, which in time will find its perfect expression in the laws governing the whole of humanity. Nonetheless, the young scholar, had to be at least partly influenced by the ideas of Romanticism, at the head of “adjust the strength to ideas you would like to realize.” His ideal Europe would be a federation of nations speaking different languages but subjected to the same general rules of the political system - with full respect for national identities. Existing at that time monarchs would become patriarchs, fathers of nations who stand guard over both local and European rights. The basis of the rights would be “laws of nature, the divine law.” The highest authority would be the Congress composed of representatives of all the nations of Europe. One of the guiding principles would be individual and collective equality. The guarantee of perpetual peace would be given by a partial disarmament. This did not mean that the proposed by Jastrzębowski pan-European federation was denied the right to defend. Although the existing armies should be abolished, stores of weapons would remain under the control of the Congress, and could be used in case of external attack or attempt to overthrow the new order from within. Then “citizens of Europe” would appear at the request of the Congress to repel the “barbarians” who are subjected to “a blood-spilling regime.” To maintain order would be established specific police, called “the rights guard.”

The Author of “The Constitution for Europe” attached great importance to the proper upbringing of the youth. In Article 27 he mentioned “the creation of family love among nations, combined by bond of eternal covenant,” and in Article 74 he stated: “Legends on fame acquired through barbaric weapons are condemned into eternal oblivion, or are repeated only as hideous mementos from fifty centuries of previous barbarian era”. Of course it was a vision of distant future; for that time Jastrzębowski was one of the defenders of the fatherland and the circumstances required paying homage to the military virtues ‒ virtuti militari. So let’s remember that Jastrzębowski was not an integral or total utopian, as well as, he was not a pacifist.

Reading the “Treaty” and “Constitution” one may wonder, how much of that are the author’s own thoughts, and how much is just reception of earlier works. The works invite the comparison with “Perpetual Peace Project” by Immanuel Kant of 1795, known at that time in several Polish translations. The great philosopher from Konigsberg also envisaged a federation of peoples, which gradually would cover the whole earth and guarantee end of wars. One might recall some other examples - such as some statements of Prince by Adam Jerzy Czartoryski. In the Jastrzębowski’s writing, however, we find many original ideas, such as guarantees of equality for “the dispersed nations” (ie. Jews or Gypsies). Therefore they deserve to be recalled and read. Recognition of their author as one of the patrons of contemporary uniting Europe is not in any case a propaganda abuse.

All authors of major publications about the author of the Constitution for Europe and subsequent publishers of Jastrzębowski's writings refer to the now classic, first scientific edition prepared by Franciszka Ramotowska. This was an important argument for its resumption.