Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy, and the Extended Territorial Republic

This book offers a new interpretation of Niccolò Machiavelli's place in republican political thought by arguing that he was the first modern political theorist to envision a large republic. It challenges the notion that republicanism was limited to urban city-states and shows how Machiavelli's ideas can be relevant to contemporary debates about the proper size of republics.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 339 pages
\n Publication date: 11 February 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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This book offers a profound reinterpretation of the history of republican political thought and Niccolò Machiavelli's place within it. It situates Machiavelli's political thought within ongoing debates about the appropriate size of republics. As states expanded in size throughout the sixteenth century, it was widely believed that only monarchies could effectively govern vast territories. Republicanism, once considered a form of government limited to urban city-states, became an anachronism in the modern era of territorial states. For centuries, historical accounts and theoretical frameworks converged, suggesting that constructing an extended republic was as futile as attempting to square the circle. However, a significant turning point emerged with the invention of the compound representative republic by James Madison. This innovative system enabled popular government to experience a renewed vitality in the modern age.

This work contends that Machiavelli possessed a Madisonian impulse and deserves recognition as the first modern political theorist to envision the possibility of a republic with a large population spanning a vast territory. It delves into Machiavelli's writings, exploring his ideas about government, power, and the role of the individual in a republican society. The book argues that Machiavelli's insights were ahead of his time and that his vision of a republican government capable of governing large territories holds relevance in the contemporary world.

Furthermore, it examines the historical context in which Machiavelli wrote, including the political turmoil and instability of Renaissance Italy. It explores how Machiavelli's ideas were shaped by his experiences and observations of the political world, and how they contributed to the development of republican political thought.

In conclusion, this book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on Niccolò Machiavelli's political thought and its significance in the history of republican political thought. It challenges traditional interpretations and sheds light on Machiavelli's contributions to the development of modern political theory. By recognizing Machiavelli's Madisonian impulse, the book establishes him as a pioneer in the field and underscores the enduring relevance of his ideas in shaping our understanding of government and governance in the contemporary world.

\n Weight: 514g\n
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781107693708\n \n