Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the legal and political thought of Carlo Bianco di Saint Jorioz. Although he was a relatively little-known figure in the early phase of the Italian Risorgimento, his Treatise on national insurgency warfare by bands contains philosophical insights that establish links to both the classical republican tradition and radical democratic thought. The focus of this study is to analyze these complex aspects. Specifically, three themes are examined in depth: the theory of the right to resist, the strategic use of dictatorship to achieve national liberation, and the concept of civic responsibility in the pursuit of political freedom. This central part of the study is preceded by an introductory section that helps the reader understand the origins of the treatise and the intellectual development of the author. This is followed by a brief conclusion that addresses the reception of the work and the censorship measures implemented by Mazzini.