NiccolòMachiavelli is famously known and interpreted in political science for his realism.His recommendations for The Prince are stated in various forms,particularly in terms of the role of violence in politics.H...NiccolòMachiavelli is famously known and interpreted in political science for his realism.His recommendations for The Prince are stated in various forms,particularly in terms of the role of violence in politics.However,his intentions are much more restrictive and prudent than it seems at the first sight.Violence is a necessity in political life,but it needs to be properly justified,otherwise it does not benefit either the ruler or the ruled.He endorses violence but conditions it by prudence and lack of cruelty.Excessive cruelty leads to hatred and citizens’hatred would lead to limitations of power of the ruler/prince.“The prince must aim to be feared without being hated”.On this basis,I will present a case study of the use of violence by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his considered“spheres of influence”,particularly in the territory of Georgia in 2008 and analyse through Machiavelli lens,whether the use of violence can be considered to be justified as Machiavelli writes,“yet it cannot be called virt to kill fellow citizens,to betray friends,to be treacherous,pitiless,irreligious.These ways can win a prince power but not glory”.展开更多
Machiavelli was a controversial political thinker. His ideas of morality and politics created a new chapter of western ideal and also created a great stir in history. His Prince presented all his ideas and hopes, all ...Machiavelli was a controversial political thinker. His ideas of morality and politics created a new chapter of western ideal and also created a great stir in history. His Prince presented all his ideas and hopes, all had its present meaning in modern time.展开更多
Machiavelli is generally held to have contributed to the becoming of the concept "Oriental Despotism"in modern political theory.His paragraphs on eastern countries and Asia in general,this essay argues,are s...Machiavelli is generally held to have contributed to the becoming of the concept "Oriental Despotism"in modern political theory.His paragraphs on eastern countries and Asia in general,this essay argues,are susceptible of quite different readings.A careful textual analysis reveals that the east is invoked as a foil to compare and measure the transformation brought about by the Roman Empire in the west.Thus,Machiavelli is not intent to put up an orientalist thesis but is more concerned with a general lesson about liberty and empire that can be applied to both the occident and the orient.展开更多
文摘NiccolòMachiavelli is famously known and interpreted in political science for his realism.His recommendations for The Prince are stated in various forms,particularly in terms of the role of violence in politics.However,his intentions are much more restrictive and prudent than it seems at the first sight.Violence is a necessity in political life,but it needs to be properly justified,otherwise it does not benefit either the ruler or the ruled.He endorses violence but conditions it by prudence and lack of cruelty.Excessive cruelty leads to hatred and citizens’hatred would lead to limitations of power of the ruler/prince.“The prince must aim to be feared without being hated”.On this basis,I will present a case study of the use of violence by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his considered“spheres of influence”,particularly in the territory of Georgia in 2008 and analyse through Machiavelli lens,whether the use of violence can be considered to be justified as Machiavelli writes,“yet it cannot be called virt to kill fellow citizens,to betray friends,to be treacherous,pitiless,irreligious.These ways can win a prince power but not glory”.
文摘Machiavelli was a controversial political thinker. His ideas of morality and politics created a new chapter of western ideal and also created a great stir in history. His Prince presented all his ideas and hopes, all had its present meaning in modern time.
文摘Machiavelli is generally held to have contributed to the becoming of the concept "Oriental Despotism"in modern political theory.His paragraphs on eastern countries and Asia in general,this essay argues,are susceptible of quite different readings.A careful textual analysis reveals that the east is invoked as a foil to compare and measure the transformation brought about by the Roman Empire in the west.Thus,Machiavelli is not intent to put up an orientalist thesis but is more concerned with a general lesson about liberty and empire that can be applied to both the occident and the orient.
