• Modernisation, Secularisation and Immanentisation of Political Theory

    Author(s):
    Andreas Wagner (see profile)
    Date:
    2015
    Subject(s):
    Political science--Philosophy
    Item Type:
    Book chapter
    Tag(s):
    Girolamo Savonarola, historicism, Niccolò Machiavelli, realism, Early modern studies, Political philosophy
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M60D1N
    Abstract:
    This chapter tries to shift the contrast of debates between 'scholasticii' and 'politici' away from conceptualizing it in terms of theology vs. rationalism, since in a way both share a modern, rationalist outlook: It is argued that the practice of politics is recognized by both Machiavelli and his scholastic counterpart Girolamo Savonarola as deeply characterised by prudential and "realist" considerations. The main difference seems to be the conceptualizing of one's own historical situation, of the eventual success of one's own practice and of societal development in terms either of a teleological framework or of radical contingency. Put this way, the same arguments that allow Machiavelli to move away from the former framework then cast doubts also on the possibilities of a rational political theory, in the sense of transparent and certain knowledge and understanding. The chapter draws on Claude Lefort's interpretation of Machiavelli in order to highlight a radically immanentist perspective in the 'Principe'. The Machiavellian approach involves a distinct methodological perspective on politics, on power, and on history that is contrasted with a rationalist paradigm that is prominent in political theory, but has been sharply criticized already by Machiavelli himself.
    Notes:
    This is a post-review version of a chapter that has subsequently been translated to Italian by Ercole Erculei and published as "Modernizzazione, secolarizzazione e immanentizzazione della teoria politica"
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Book chapter     Show details
    Publisher:
    Carocci editore
    Pub. Date:
    2015
    Book Title:
    Politica, moralità, fortuna. Riflessioni storico-filosofiche sul Principe di Machiavelli
    Author/Editor:
    Ercole Erculei, Giorgio Grimaldi
    Chapter:
    Modernizzazione, secolarizzazione e immanentizzazione della teoria politica
    Page Range:
    131 - 150
    ISBN:
    9788843077496
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
    Share this:

    Downloads

    Item Name: pdf wagner-andreas-modernization-secularization-and-immanentization-of-political-theory-post-review-edits.pdf
      Download View in browser
    Activity: Downloads: 173

    Back to Deposits