5. Machiavelli

Machiavelli

Political philosopher from Renaissance Florence.

Medici

Powerful family ruling Florence during Machiavelli's youth.

Savonarola

Dominican friar who briefly ruled Florence.

Republic

Form of government re-established after Savonarola.

Secretary

Diplomatic post held by Machiavelli for 14 years.

The Prince

Machiavelli's major work on political power.

The Discourses

Machiavelli's analysis of republican government.

The Art of War

Machiavelli's treatise on military strategy.

Columbus Comparison

Machiavelli likens his political insights to Columbus.

Ideal Regimes

Concepts rejected by Machiavelli in favor of realism.

Holy Roman Empire

Dominant political organization during Machiavelli's time.

Republican Rome

Model of governance Machiavelli preferred over empire.

Dante's De Monarchia

Treatise advocating a universal Christian state.

Political Theory

Machiavelli's focus on real states over ideals.

Benevolence

Occasional quality in human nature, according to Machiavelli.

Secular State

State liberated from religious and classical virtues.

Human Nature

Machiavelli views humans as evil and vicious.

Fear of the Prince

Subjects should fear the Prince for stability.

Hereditary Principalities

Stable regimes acquired through inheritance.

Mixed Principalities

Old states acquired by new princes.

Expediency

Doing whatever is necessary to maintain control.

The Beast

Machiavelli's concept of combining lion and fox traits.

Fierce and Shrewd

Qualities of a successful Prince.

Universalist Ambitions

State aims for broader goals beyond tradition.

Christianity's Impact

Softened morals weaken political strength.

Own Arms

Dependence on personal strength and laws.

Prolonged Peace

Leads to weakness; war fosters strength.

Christian Humility

Reject humility for effective governance.

Statecraft

No place for innocence or justice.

Armed Prophets

Exceptional leaders shape laws and institutions.

Unarmed Prophets

Success through words, not military force.

Jesus and Mohammed

Established empires through teachings, not arms.

Prophetic Prince

Combines qualities of philosopher and reformer.

Political Pragmatism

Adjusting means to fit political ends.

Virtù

Latin for manliness, power, strength, audacity.

Principalities

One of Machiavelli's two regime types.

Republics

Second type of regime according to Machiavelli.

Psychological Dispositions

Two classes: the oppressed and the oppressors.

Grandi

The rich and powerful class in society.

Popolo

Common people desiring freedom from rule.

Nobles' Ambition

Nobles threaten princes due to power desires.

Hostile Nobles

Threat to princes, risk of rebellion.

Rousseau's Perspective

Critiques Medici oppression and values freedom.

Challenge to Plato

Machiavelli redirects power from nobles to people.

Break with Antiquity

Machiavelli's ideas diverge from classical traditions.

Ecclesiastical Control

Machiavelli advocates for politics free from religion.

Machiavelli's Advice

Princes should build power on popular support.

Political Power Shift

Machiavelli seeks to empower the populace.

Machiavelli's Legacy

Influence on modern political thought and realism.