Machiavelli Flashcards
when did M write the Prince
Early Modern Europe, prior to the nation state, period of early modern composite state (included, monarchies, republics, and other forms)
where did prince take place
15th century Italy
- Included hereditary dynasties and newly established mercantilist families (Medici)
- generated wealth that supported Renaissance growth of arts and sciences
what was Machiavelli’s political context
- Charles VIII of France’s invasion of Naples which disrupted Italian politics, generated lasting instability and uncertainty
- Also the Florentine Republic which was under Medici control from 1434-1494. From 1494, the Great Council of Citizens chose their own rulers. Then Medici control was re-established in 1512
- He wanted a united Italian State
What does M claim to offer (quote)
“An understanding of the deeds of great men, acquired through a lengthy experience of contemporary politics and through an uninterrupted study of the classics”
Why was M the first modern
He broke with the virtue ethics model of politics, instead analyzed politics in a different way
how did he analyze politics differently
rejects the subordination of politics to philosophy, politics must be theorized according to its own rules, argued against rigid principles that constrain action
T/F Machiavelli made political expediency defensible
True
what is the first quote from M on human nature
“People are by nature inconstant. It is easy to persuade them of something, but it is difficult to stop them from changing their minds. So you have to be prepared for the moment when they no longer believe” (20)
what is the second quote from M on human nature
men are foolish, and they embark on something that is attractive in its outward appearance, without recognizing the evil consequences that will follow from it”
how does M break from the teleological view
don’t conduct politics with an eye toward how humans should act, but with how they do act
political rulers need to study human nature in order to learn how to master the unpredictable political realm
how does M contrast Aristotle
we don’t need to know human ends to know human nature
what is M’s level of analysis
focuses on the individual (shifts from previous notions that focus on relational or communal notions of politics)
Men of virtu
can shape their environment (lays groundwork for liberalism)
what was M’s inversion of the Plato Cave Metaphor
ideals are the illusion that misleads; politics follows rules we can learn from empirics
what is M’s virtu and its characteristics
a particular type of targeted, situational excellence that is forceful, imposing and manly. It also has a strength of purpose, skill with assessing a situation, balances prudence with a willingness to act
How does virtu interact with fortune / fate
virtu as controlling the variables that one can control; not leaving matters to fortune / fate
M’s virtu combines
virtue and vice
what is a quote to support virtu as being a combination of virtue and vice
“we have to distinguish between cruelty well used and cruelty abused”
what is an alternative way to describe M’s virtu
vice deployed effectively for an overarching goal of gaining / maintaining power
how does Leo Strauss describe M’s virtu
the judicious alternation of virtue and vice
what is another quote about alternating between virtue and vice
“Do all the harm you must at one and the same time, that way the full extent of it will not be noticed, and it will give least offense. One should do good, on the other hand, little by little, so people can fully appreciate it
what type of rule does M emphasize
a newly established rule, so that a new ruler can establish own principles of order
what is the primary objective of M’s ruler
to establish order
what does M’s society create according to Sheldon Wolin
he creates an economy of violence, a science of the controlled application of force
T/F tyrannical actions don’t necessarily reflect a disordered tyrannical mind for M
True
T/F for M, violence doesn’t need a purpose
False
what is M’s perspective on the current nature of politics
disagrees with the current understanding of politics at the time, disagrees with Christian morality, Plato in particular
is politics different or unique to other aspects of human life according to M
Machiavelli thinks it is, with its own standards and rules
what are some similarities between M and Kautilya
Neither are shy about recommending violence, focus on material wellbeing, care about order and peace
whats a difference between M and Kautilya
M is completely secular opposing Christianity and K is consistent with Hindu beliefs
what is the quote about M describing when to be good or bad
“so it is necessary for a ruler to learn, if he wants to hold onto power, to learn how not to be good, and to know when it is and when it is not necessary to use this knowledge”
why does M disagree with other scholars about a ruler being completely good
he doesn’t believe it is possible for a person to be completely good, also thinks that being a moral ruler will lead to your political downfall (wickedness leads to prosperity, goodness leads to downfall)
according to M, you need effective action that
gains power and maintains control, instead of being morally good (can be politically effective or morally good just not both at the same time)
T/F generosity is politically effective if practiced openly according to M
false, he believes that it is better to be thrifty and stingy
how does M feel about cruelty v compassion
it is politically good to have a reputation for compassion, but it is also fine to be called cruel (so long as it keeps the peace, it is not compassionate to allow chaos to fester)
how does M feel about love v fear
ideally a ruler should be loved and feared but if forced to pick between the two, fear is better (more reliable than love)
how does M feel about integrity v deception
integrity and honesty is praiseworthy, those who lie outperform those who tell the truth, you should be deceptive but not have a reputation for being deceptives
what does M mean by learn to be a beast (centaur)
combine the qualities of men (following the rules) and beasts together (breaking the rules for survival)
what is M’s fox
cunning and clever, knows how to avoid traps
what is M’s lion
strong and forceful, knows how to beat their opponents with overwhelming strength
how should M’s ruler appear in public
appears to be good, but don’t actually be purely good
For M, what are the ends of politics and the limits of violence
rulers can do violent things to retain power, but places clear limits on that power because it could backfire, therefore power should be well used not abused
to avoid contempt you should (for M)
be decisive, show vision for the future and maintain order
why should a ruler be avoid being hated
it is how you stop would be insurgents from banding together and attempting an overthrow (hatred creates popular support for coups)
what is M’s second goal
achieve glory in order to secure a legacy
how does a leader get a reputation for greatness for M
military conquest and victory, be admired and widely talked about, take a side in nearby conflict, honor excellence
how do you combat uncertainty (Fortuna) according to M
Fortune doesn’t determine all actions, she may love one minute and hate you in the next, therefore you must always be prepared and be bold
