POT2002 Machiavelli

“The Prince” was a “gift” to the prince, but what did Machiavelli expect in return?

“The Prince” was a gift of philosophy to the Prince, but he expected authorial backing and protection in return.

Machiavelli valued what over virtue?

effectiveness

• argues the Prince should do what is necessary - not necessarily what is right.

  • this is different from Plato … Plato would argue that to do something right, you can not do wrong.

Machiavelli’s view on divine right

against divine right

What does the Discourses accomplish? How does it view history?

• history is important because it is viewed as a treasure chest

• gather information from the past that can be used in the present because humans do not change

• sees history as cyclical (like Plato)

• the three discourses books perform the cycle of history: Rome’s founding principles, Rome’s expansions, and eventual corruption, Rome’s possible renewal.

How does Machiavelli see democracy?

• he sees positive in democracy

• if you mix the one (the Prince), the few (aristocracy), and the many (Democracy), you get a perfect form of government.

• unlike Plato

How does Machiavelli view human nature?

• negative

• can not assume virtue in officeholders - they think for their own self-interest

  • because of this, there are checks and balances

What is Machiavelli’s opinion on Republics expanding?

Republics must expand to endure

What does Machiavelli view as the ultimate purpose of the Prince?

reestablish the republic.. .doing this takes the will to do something extraordinary, potentially violent, and difficult to do… but this is the Machiavellian skill that is the highest path to glory

What is the purpose of education?

to teach young people to love and not question the Republic

Does Machiavelli think politics are natural or artificial?

natural

Does Machiavelli prioritze the private or public sphere?

public is more important and central than private

How does Machiavelli view human nature?

low and self-interested

huma nature is historically constant and bad

What is the purpose of politics for Machiavelli?

to create an egalitarian republic where the one, the few, and the many create common good through conflict

• freedom as non-denomination

• the one, the few, the many = at same level … no heirarchical relationship

• no one Good, rather trying to find the common good through the push and pull of competing interests

Machiavelli’s view on economic inequality?

poor meant to watch over the rich, corruption increases with expansion. Prince supposed to intervene with virtu that transcends self interest.

• people are best keepers of their liberty

• if republic conquers, their wealth comes back home and increases corruption.

• Machiavelli hopes that the prince will bring the republic back.

  • but this is difficult, because to do this, the prince must transcend self-interest and human nature.