Machiavelli's Republican Ideology In The Vision Of Classical Republicanism

In this thesis, the author attempt to research Machiavelli′s republican ideology in the vision of classical republicanism. The republican ideology of Ancient Greece and Rome are representatives of Classical republicanism. If divided by the time,Machiavelli is at the turning point from ancient time to modern time, and his theory even tending to Modern republicanism,but the thesis regards Machiavelli as a rejuvenation and follower of classical republicanism because of his strong emotion of classical spirit. As Machiavelli lived in the different background from Greece and Rome, his republican ideology has its own features.The thesis is divided into three parts totally.The first part is to expound the development of classical republicanism in ancient Greece and Rome, In the author's opinion, the notion such as"civic virtue","civic liberty"and"republican regime"are the most important conceptions in the classical republicanism. On the basis of analyzing the classical republicanism in Greece and Rome, the author summarize five characters of classical republicanism: Collectivism, political equality, pursuing virtue constantly, mixed-banlanced regime ,Pacifism inside.The second part is to analyze the features of Machiavelli's republicanism in the background of Renaissance. Machiavelli is one of the most outstanding thinkers in this period, and his republican ideology has its own features: first, the combination of republican regime and autocracy ,this point maybe a huge difference comparing to the classical republicanism, while autocracy is the necessary method to establish the new republic. Second, the conceptions of Machiavelli′s republican ideology concluding"civic liberty"and"civic virtue"are also different from those which in the classical republicanism. Machiavelli is the first person who divide"private space"and"public space", civilian also can realize their personal value in the"private space"not just in the"public space", so that civic liberty is no longer depend their country totally. He also analyze civic liberty in the"formal state"and"informal state", in the formal state, that means in the peaceful state, civic liberty reflects on the follow things:civilian take part in the politics free and actively. But in the informal state, it means on the state of war, civilian should sacrifice personal liberty to abide by the monarch. Referring"civic virtue", Machiavelli open a new period, he distinct moral and politics totally, from then on, moral is not the aim of politics, and the principle of politics is not moral code any more. In addition to it, he divide virtue into"virtue belongs to people"and"virtue belongs to monarch". Monarch′s virtue is out of the control of law and religion, he can do everything that maintain the republic. Third, Machiavelli made a transformation of"natural harmony". Plato and Aristotle ,who are the representatives of classical republican ideology, holding the opinion that reasonable political system are build up by nature, because everyone born with different character which determines their work and social states. While Machiavelli never believes good order can be build up by itself, it should be established by power outwards. He begins to explore"natural law". Meanwhile he denies the idea that"harmony in all classes", he hold the idea that every class in the society has their own interest, so conflict among them is unavoidable, and confliction is the important factor on strengthening the republic.The third part is to summarize the republican ideology of Machiavelli, and illustrate the effect of his theory in his period and modern time. And his republican ideology has not only classical character but also modern character, in the author′s opinion , Machiavelli tries to recover the spirit of classical republicanism.