Modern political theory machiavelli biography

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His portrayal of power and human behavior has inspired countless works of fiction, drama, and film. This theme was taken up, in turn, by late medieval Italian practitioners and theorists of rhetoric, who emphasized that the subject matter of the art was lite (conflict). Machiavelli’s Realist Break with Tradition

Before Machiavelli, political philosophy was deeply intertwined with ethics and religion.

Thus, we should take nothing Machiavelli says about moral conduct at face value, but instead should understand his remarks as sharply humorous commentary on public affairs.

However, he cautions that a prince should avoid being hated, as this could lead to rebellion. Over the centuries, critics have simplified his thought, turning him into a symbol of treachery and immorality. The methods for achieving obedience are varied and depend heavily upon the foresight that the prince exercises. 561–726)

Secondary Literature

• Anglo, Sydney, 2005, Machiavelli: The First Century, (Oxford-Warburg Studies), Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Baluch, Faisal, 2018, “Machiavelli as Philosopher”, The Review of Politics, 80(2): 289–300.

  By contrast, the vast majority of people confuse liberty with security, imagining that the former is identical to the latter: “But all the others, who are infinite, desire liberty in order to live securely (viveresicuro)” (Discourses CW 237). Machiavelli’s assertion that it is better for a prince to be feared than loved, if he cannot be both, has become one of the most famous maxims in political philosophy.

  This shift was revolutionary. 175–532)

• The Art of War (in Volume 2, pp. Such observations must make us wonder whether Machiavelli’s advice that princes acquire dispositions which vary according to circumstance was so “practical” (even in his own mind) as he had asserted.

  6. He views history as a source of practical lessons, particularly regarding the dynamics of power, the role of fortune, and the impact of individual actions on the course of events.

  He argues that laws, not individuals, should govern the state, and that even the most powerful leaders must be subject to legal constraints. He believes that the struggles between the plebeians and the patricians in Rome were a source of strength, as they led to the creation of institutions that balanced power and protected the rights of the people.

  He contrasts this with the corruption and self-interest that he observed in contemporary Florence, warning that a lack of civic virtue could lead to the downfall of a republic.

  Machiavelli also emphasizes the importance of the rule of law in maintaining a republic. These writings not only complement his political thought but also provide valuable insights into his views on human nature, society, and culture.

  One of Machiavelli’s most famous non-political works is the play La Mandragola (The Mandrake), written around 1518.

  It was only in the centuries after his death that Machiavelli’s works would be rediscovered, leading to his reputation as one of the most important political theorists in Western history.

  The Prince: Analyzing Power and Statecraft

  The Prince is undoubtedly Machiavelli’s most famous and influential work, and it has earned a place as one of the seminal texts in the history of political thought.