Machiavelli's Political Philosophy

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from Machiavelli's political philosophy, focusing on power dynamics, moral implications, and military strategies.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events.

Acquisition of Power

The process of gaining authority or position, often discussed in the context of becoming a prince.

Maintenance of Power

The strategies and actions required to retain authority once it has been established.

Extension of Power

The act of expanding one's influence or control over additional territories or subjects.

The Prince

Machiavelli's work that discusses the qualities a ruler must possess to maintain power.

Lion and Fox

Machiavelli's metaphor indicating that a ruler must be both strong like a lion and cunning like a fox.

Morality for the Prince

In Machiavelli's view, morality is often superficial; the prince must appear virtuous while engaging in morally questionable actions.

Historical Progression

Machiavelli's perspective that history is not necessarily progressive or linear, but rather cyclical.

Virtues of the Prince

Qualities such as intelligence, cunning, strategy, and the ability to appear moral that contribute to a ruler's effectiveness.

Mercenaries

Soldiers hired to fight for a state, often considered less reliable than one’s own troops.

Fear vs. Love

Machiavelli's concept that it is better for a ruler to be feared than loved, as fear maintains control.

Fortune and Virtue

The interplay between luck (fortune) and qualities (virtue) that a prince must navigate to maintain power.

Hypocrisy in Governance

The practice of a prince using deceit and manipulation while maintaining an appearance of integrity.

Colonization of Consciousness

The process through which dominant cultures impose their values and practices on colonized societies.

Blitzkrieg

A military tactic used by Germany in WWII characterized by fast, surprise attacks combining air and ground forces.

Proactive Warfare

The strategy of engaging in conflict before it becomes a more significant problem for a state.