Machiavelli and empire

Bibliographic Information

Machiavelli and empire

Mikael Hörnqvist

(Ideas in context / edited by Quentin Skinner (general editor) ... [et al.], 71)

Cambridge University Press, 2004

  • : hbk

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Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Mikael Hoernqvist challenges us to rethink the overall meaning and importance of Machiavelli's political thinking. Machiavelli and Empire combines close textual analysis of The Prince and The Discourses with a broad historical approach, to establish the importance of empire-building and imperial strategy in Machiavelli's thought. The primary context of Machiavelli's work, Hoernqvist argues, is not the mirror-for-princes genre or medieval and Renaissance republicanism in general, but a tradition of Florentine imperialist republicanism dating back to the late thirteenth-century, based on the twin notions of liberty at home and empire abroad. Weaving together themes and topics drawn from contemporary Florentine political debate, Medicean ritual and Renaissance triumphalism, this study explores how Machiavelli in his chancery writings and theoretical works promoted the long standing aspirations of Florence to become a great and expanding empire, modelled on the example of the ancient Roman republic. This is a distinctive and important work.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Another philosophy
  • 2. The Republic's two ends
  • 3. The natural desire of states
  • 4. To destroy them or to live there
  • 5. The triumphator
  • 6. Rhetoric of hope and despair
  • 7. Sublunar writing
  • Conclusion: Cui Bono?

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Related Books: 1-1 of 1

  • Ideas in context

    edited by Quentin Skinner (general editor) ... [et al.]

    Cambridge University Press

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