GVPT241 Lecture 2/27/14Miachiavelli’s WorldThe RenaissanceRepublics and Principalities- Liberty as non-domination- Domination: a state of affairs in which you are dependent of the arbitrary will of another (doesn’t matter if this person is benevolent)o Benevolent master: slave is still dependent on the arbitrary will of the mastero Security against domination involved rule of law- Internal and External threats to liberty- Community as a whole cannot be dependent on the arbitrary will of another ruler- Internal Threato Signori: powerful group who would rise to power within a city through cunning and ruthlessness- External Threato Condottieri: professional soldiers for hire at the head of privatemilitiaso Looked to expand; cities became more dependent on these figuresRenaissance Humanism- The Rhetorical Arts- Exordium: a preface to appeal to the readers judgments and passions in order to put the reader in a proper frame of mind to receive and assent to the argument that was going to follow- Exhortation: a form of writing that attempts to mobilize the reader to action- Exemplification: the use of examples to convey a point- “Handbooks for Princes”: brief written document in rhetorical arts that sough to give rulers sound advice; advice for ruling wello The most important virtues a leader should have: Virtue of mercy, generosity, and honesty- “Mirrors for Princes”: A New Approach to PoliticsA Practical Question- What is the origin of political community?- The origin of political community lies in an understanding of the kindsof creatures we are—politics is natural for us- Political communities come into being because they are founded by special figures with knowledge at a particular point in time- Did he write the book on how-to guide on those would dominate?- Did he write it to poke fun at the new ruler? - Were his loyalties to a republic? Did he write this book as a handbook for the citizens?An Inductive, Comparative, and Historical Method-General Precepts- Avoid Half-Measures- When gaining power and subduing others, one must avoid half-measures- Pre-emptive War- One should never allow disorder to persist in order to avoid - War is an unavoidable part of political life- Cruelty well-used- Thinks the only way that order can be restored is through cruel and harsh measures- Brings in a sadistic man who engages in a lot of violence which makes order restored; however the citizens loathe the man- Criterion for Crueltyo Only use cruelty as a necessity, do not engage in it just becauseo Cruelty is briefo To the benefit of one’s own power and to the benefit of the
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