NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIRealism, the Science of

Power, and the Beginning of Modern Political Thought

Things to Find OUT Does Machiavelli’s writings show a theory

of politics?

Does Machiavellian political thought suggest or argue that politics is immoral or has nothing to do with morality to say the least?

What are the contributions of Machiavelli to Political Science?

And although this enterprise may be difficult, none the less, aided by those who have advised me to begin carrying this load, I believe I can carry it so that there will remain for others a short way to bring it to its destined place (end).

Discourses, bk. I

Context

Political

- fragmented Italy

- unstable regimes; from the Medicis to Savonarola, then to the return of the Medicis

Socio-cultural

- dominance of the Roman Church

- Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia)

Scientific

- Revival of humanism as the spirit of

Renaissance

- Machiavelli’s encounter with Leonardo

(between 150-1508)

Avoiding half-readings Reading the Prince as if it has the same

power or impact with the Bible Reading the Prince without reading the

Discourses Reading the Discourses and in effect treat

the Prince as irrelevant Oversimplifying Machiavelli by not reading

any of his works at all (the common problem of most political science majors and politicians more importantly!)

Discourses

Defense of Republicanism Spells out the ideal; the long term goal

of Machiavelli Republic = a government where power

rests on a set of impersonal institutions that operate according to established laws (distinguished from a monarchy, a dictatorship or despotism = arbitrary and whimsical)

From the Discourses (Book I, ch. 2)

So that a Republic can be called fortunate which by chance has a man so prudent, who gives her laws so ordered that without having need of correcting them, she can live securely under them. And it is seen that Sparta observed hers (laws) for more than eight hundred years without changing them and without any dangerous disturbance: and on the contrary that City has some degree of unhappiness which (not having fallen to a prudent lawmaker) is compelled to reorganize her laws by herself.

And she also is more unhappy which has diverged more from her institutions; and that (Republic) is even further from them whose laws lead her away from perfect and true ends entirely outside of the right path; for to those who are in that condition it is almost impossible that by some incident they be set aright.

Cont’d

Officials in a Republic = exercise power in the name of the institution that they serve

Concentration of power; consolidation of the state; stabilized; people getting used to the laws must precede democracy; republication democracy cannot be introduced to a people who are fractured (warlordism; bossism; patronage)

The ruler must use his power to get the people into the habit of following the laws

Origins of Roman Republic

Romulos = conquer the local warlords

= killed Remus

= Did not create monarchy but a Republic

Advices in the prince

Central Concepts in Machiavelli

Goddess Fortuna (fortune) Virtu (intelligence, talent, skill) = virtuoso A good leader must have both

A prince must have good fortune and skill in order to unify a state

Cf. Discourses (Book II, ch. 1)

Fortune is like a woman (whimsical); can only fall in love with you but only for a while; shifts attention

The ruler (man) must master fortune; take advantage of it; use the fortune in order to build his strength; when the times comes when fortune changes affection, the ruler is already strong

Grab the opportunity; strike while the iron is hot

Case in Point

Cesare Borgia

&

Ferdinand MARCOS

Fortune is something that cannot be borrowed

Virtu however can be borrowed (advisers and counselors)

On Morality

Immoral? Amoral? Nemenzo: dual morality/two systems of

morality

The standard of morality for the ruler is not the same with the standard of morality for the ruled; at times they contradict

Ruler: greatest responsibility is to keep his realm intact; and achieve order and stability – the rest are subordinate to this

Ordinary citizens: subjects to moral codes Opened up a dilemma for political theory:

where is the dividing line

The Military and Politics

Renaissance Italy: mercenaries are hired

Fortresses for protection