On Cicero 's Republican Thought

Cicero is the first theorist in the western world to define the conception of STATE. However Scholars have different opinions about how to translate the definition.The main bifurcation is whether the first line should be translated into "STATE is people’s public affairs" or "STATE is people’s property ".I would like to adopt the first version. There is much tension between the first phrase and the second phrase which means’the state is an united community combined by common interests and unanimous rights. The first phrase gives emphasis on citizenship gained by participating in public affairs,the second phrase by obeying reasonable laws and institution.With pluralistic culture, enlarged boundary and differentiable minds, Cicero’s republic institution is a political theory which rebuild the order through republic spirit. Yet, this republic institution can not fully ensure excellent political process, therefore Cicero claims to synthesize the nature law, rhetoric and virtue into the traditional Greece republic to form an ideal one. Compared with Plato and Aristotle,Cicero’s republic theory integrate republic institution by melting practical wisdom and lawful community into reasonable political environment.During the Renaissance, Cicero enjoys a popular readership in humanists, among republican Machiavelli is enlisted. Though disagreed with where the authority comes from and what political virtue contains, Machiavelli gets to the common view about how to preserve liberty with Cicero.