Machiavelli's Politics

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Machiavelli is often viewed as a teacher of tyrants, primarily due to his influential treatise, The Prince. However, some argue that his Discourses on Livy reveal him as a passionate advocate for republicanism, advocating for harsh measures to maintain order. Catherine H. Zuckert's Machiavelli’s Politics reinterprets Machiavelli’s works, presenting a cohesive political philosophy. She demonstrates that the moral revolution in The Prince lays the groundwork for the democratic republic he envisions in the Discourses. Distrustful of ambitious politicians' ability to serve the public interest, Machiavelli argues that they can best achieve their ambitions by addressing the desires of their subjects. In the Discourses, he outlines laws and institutions that balance the interests of both politicians and citizens to secure liberty for all. Zuckert also examines Machiavelli’s later works—La Mandragola, The Art of War, The Life of Castruccio Castracani, Clizia, and Florentine Histories—showing how he further developed his ideas. In The Art of War, he details how to apply his principles in modern contexts. By exploring human passions, Machiavelli seeks to guide them towards productive outcomes. Zuckert’s analysis reveals the complexity of Machiavelli’s teachings, emphasizing the need to consider all his works to grasp his unified political vision, making this study essential for understanding the philosopher.