Political Science 797ML - ST-Machiavelli,Levellers,Monte
Fall
2018
01
3.00
Roberto Alejandro
M 4:00PM 6:30PM
UMass Amherst
82683
Thompson Hall Room 420
ralejand@polsci.umass.edu
Republicanism develops and stands for some crucial concepts as linchpins of the social order. Some of these concepts refer to both the community and individuals, as is the case of virtue, merit, and patriotism. These three concepts are individuals-oriented, but always for the sake of the larger moral entity represented by the community. Other concepts refer to the specific communitarian arena where the republic is expected to thrive.
"Institutions," "public good," and "rule of law" are among these community-oriented concepts. The people, as opposed to any group whose claim to rule rests on ancestry, wealth, or both, are still another powerful element in the symbolic tapestry of republicanism. This seminar will discuss all these concepts in the following authors:
Cicero, Machiavelli, Guicciardini, and Montesquieu. We will compare the view of the people in these authors to the way some seventeenth century English thinkers theorized the people. The seminar will conclude with some sections from Tocqueville's Democracy in America.
"Institutions," "public good," and "rule of law" are among these community-oriented concepts. The people, as opposed to any group whose claim to rule rests on ancestry, wealth, or both, are still another powerful element in the symbolic tapestry of republicanism. This seminar will discuss all these concepts in the following authors:
Cicero, Machiavelli, Guicciardini, and Montesquieu. We will compare the view of the people in these authors to the way some seventeenth century English thinkers theorized the people. The seminar will conclude with some sections from Tocqueville's Democracy in America.