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The Machiavellian Legacy: Origin and Outcomes of the Conflict Between Politics and Morality in Modernity

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  • Vatter, M.E.

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to offer a new description of Machiavelli's legacy to the political and philosophical discourse of modernity. The author takes as his starting point Strauss's interpretation of this legacy because he proposes its strongest version, one which is adopted, in its central points, even by thinkers who wish to defend, rather than reject, the project of modernity. Put bluntly, Strauss argues that modern political thought, from Machiavelli and Hobbes, through Rousseau, Kant and Hegel, culminating in Nietzsche, is thoroughly historicist, by which he means that it cannot "answer the question of right and wrong or of the best social order in a universally valid manner, in a manner valid for all historical epochs, as political philosophy requires".

Suggested Citation

  • Vatter, M.E., 1999. "The Machiavellian Legacy: Origin and Outcomes of the Conflict Between Politics and Morality in Modernity," Papers 99/2, European Institute - Political and Social Sciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:fth:europs:99/2
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    Keywords

    MORALITY ; POLITICS ; MODERNITY;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A10 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - General

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