Lecture 6 Machiavelli Flashcards
Who was Niccolò Machiavelli, and what were the key events in his life?
Machiavelli was a Florentine political thinker from a noble family. He worked in the city’s bureaucracy, lost his position when the Medici regained power in 1512, and wrote The Prince to regain favor with them.
What is the historical significance of The Prince?
The Prince is a foundational text in political theory, focusing on pragmatic governance and realpolitik. It was placed on the Index of Forbidden Books in 1559 for its controversial ideas.
What is a ‘mirror for princes’ (specula principum)?
A genre of literature providing advice to rulers, often idealistic. Machiavelli broke with tradition by focusing on how rulers actually behave rather than how they ought to behave.
How does Machiavelli categorize different ways of obtaining power?
He distinguishes hereditary rule (easy to maintain), conquest, and acquisition. Conquest requires skill, as people are often rebellious, making it hard to retain power.
What are Machiavelli’s views on power and passions?
Power includes strategic influence beyond coercion, and rulers must navigate love, fear, and hatred to sustain authority.
Why does Machiavelli emphasize the importance of being an ‘armed prophet’?
Armed prophets succeed because they can enforce belief when persuasion fails. Unarmed prophets are vulnerable to betrayal due to human fickleness.
What strategies does Machiavelli recommend for taking over a state?
He advises removing former rulers’ supporters, establishing new administrations, living in the territory, or destroying old institutions while maintaining control.
What does Machiavelli mean by ‘new morality’?
Rulers must prioritize state security over conventional morality, using instrumental rationality where ‘the end justifies the means.’
How does Machiavelli contrast reality with idealism in governance?
He argues rulers who act based on how people should behave will fail, as power requires adapting to how people actually act.
What is Machiavelli’s ideal balance of fear and love for a ruler?
A ruler should aim to be both feared and loved, but if forced to choose, fear is safer—so long as it does not turn into hatred.
What is ‘economy of violence’ in Machiavelli’s thought?
Using calculated and limited violence to maintain order and prevent greater chaos or widespread brutality.
What is ‘virtù’ in Machiavelli’s philosophy?
Virtù is the combination of intelligence, courage, and adaptability to achieve political and military success. It is instrumental, focusing on outcomes rather than morality.
How does ‘fortuna’ relate to Machiavelli’s ideas?
Fortuna (fate) is unpredictable but can be partially controlled through bold and aggressive action, as boldness often aligns with success.
What is an example of tactical cruelty in The Prince?
Cesare Borgia executed his lieutenant, Remirro de Orco, in a public spectacle to instill fear and restore order, showing how violence can be used strategically.
How does Machiavelli define liberty in a republic?
Liberty fosters innovation, strength, and growth. Without it, tyranny leads to stagnation and decline, as shown by Athens and Rome’s successes after achieving freedom.
