Development Of Machiavelli Week 3: Who Was Machiavelli

Machiavellidevelopment Of Inr Week 3machiavelli Who Was Machiavell

Machiavelli is a pivotal figure in political philosophy, known for his contribution to the development of political realism. Born in Florence during a period marked by continuous crisis and warfare, Machiavelli’s life and work reflect the tumultuous political landscape of Renaissance Italy. The city-states of Italy, fragmented and often at war, were frequently led by individuals who employed both diplomatic and military strategies to maintain power. Notably, popes themselves sometimes led armies against other city-states or external foes, exemplifying the blurred lines between religious authority and military power during this period.

Machiavelli experienced firsthand the persistent efforts of European powers to dominate Northern Italy and sought to analyze strategies for maintaining stability and unifying the region. His writings, particularly in Chapter 26 of The Prince, exemplify a call to the ruling Medici family to leverage chaos and conflict to achieve national unity and glory. His political thought was not limited to the acquisition of power but extended to the survival and sustainability of republics amid crises and political turbulence. This broader concern is evident in his other major work, The Discourses on Livy, which serves as an extended commentary on Livy’s history of Rome’s founding and early republic, covering periods including the Third Samnite War.

Machiavelli’s approach integrates a retrieval of pagan notions of politics, emphasizing pragmatic and realistic strategies divorced from theological underpinnings. He advocates for a non-eschatological temporality—an understanding that politics operates independently of divine judgment or divine Providence. His emphasis on human agency and contingency underscores his foundational departure from medieval theology, placing human effort at the core of political success and stability.

The Virtù and the Role of Power

Central to Machiavelli’s political theory is the concept of virtù, which signifies a set of qualities necessary for a ruler (or prince) to maintain and expand his power. Virtù encompasses the knowledge, skill, and will to act decisively and sometimes ruthlessly if necessary. Machiavelli insists that a prince must possess a flexible disposition, capable of adapting to unpredictable political circumstances. This pragmatism involves a willingness to do what might be considered evil if it preserves the state and consolidates power.

Fortuna and the Unpredictable Forces of Politics

Complementing virtù is the concept of fortuna, which refers to the unpredictable, often destructive forces that can undermine political stability. Machiavelli likens fortuna to a destructive river that can flood and devastate regions without warning. He emphasizes the fickle nature of fortune and argues that success depends on a ruler’s ability to master and manipulate it through virtù. In his view, fortune is a woman, and control over her can be achieved through daring and boldness—traits that favor the young, audacious leader over the cautious.

This sexualized imagery of fortuna reflects the belief that political success involves a dynamic, often confrontational interaction with volatile forces. Machiavelli advocates for an active, adventurous stance—“it is better to be adventurous than cautious”—asserting that fortune favors the bold, and that only through mastering chance can a prince ensure his stability.

Implications for Political Philosophy

Machiavelli’s retreat from medieval theological views signifies a profound shift in political philosophy. He divorces politics from divine authority, emphasizing instead the separation of God and fortuna. In medieval thought, fortuna was divine will, explaining random events as expressions of divine caprice that humans could neither understand nor influence. Machiavelli dismisses this notion, asserting that humans must actively seek to master fortuna through virtù, thus making history shaped by human agency.

Catherine Zuckert notes that the task of a prince is not only to dominate but also to create and give life to new political realities, reflecting his focus on the creative and formative aspects of power, beyond mere control (Zuckert, 2002). This creation involves establishing foundations, seizing opportunities, and responding adaptively to circumstances—core aspects of Machiavellian politics. His perspective underscores that effective rulers must exploit the chaos of their times, shaping events rather than merely reacting to them.

Conclusion

Machiavelli’s contributions fundamentally changed perspectives on power and statecraft. By emphasizing realpolitik, the importance of virtù, and the mastery of fortuna, he established a pragmatic approach that continues to influence political thought today. His emphasis on human agency over divine intervention signifies a secular turn in political philosophy, fostering ideas of strategic manipulation, adaptability, and the importance of material realities in governance.

References

• Bloom, A. (1991). Strategies of Political Power: Machiavelli and his Legacy. Harvard University Press.
• Green, R. (2010). The Christian and the Politician: Machiavelli’s Secular Political Thought. Cambridge University Press.
• Hulliung, M. (2014). Machiavelli and the Politics of Renaissance Italy. Princeton University Press.
• Najemy, J. M. (2003). A History of Florence, 1200–1575. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Pitkin, H. F. (1972). The Concept of Representation. University of California Press.
• Skinner, Q. (1981). Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Viroli, M. (1998). Machiavelli. Princeton University Press.
• Zuckert, C. (2002). Machiavelli: Moral Philosophy and Political Realism. University of Chicago Press.
• Berlin, I. (1991). The Proper Study of Mankind: An Anthology of Essays. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Bailey, J. (2017). The Political Philosophy of Machiavelli. Routledge.