Abstract

BALCELLS, Joan. Machiavelli and the Internal Stability of the Republic: Historical Interpretation, Contemporary Critique. Prax. filos. [online]. 2008, n.26, pp. 83-92. ISSN 0120-4688.

The aim of this analysis is to present an interpretation of the republican Machiavelli of the Discorsi with regard to the question of the internal maintenance of the republic, through three different guidelines: first, the struggle against the internal enemies of the republic; second, the sense of contingency and fragility in the domain of the political; and third, the needed constructive energy of virtù. In the second part, some attractive aspects of neo-Machiavellian republicanism are highlighted in connection with contemporary debates on citizenship and political liberalism. The emphasis is put through the text on the necessity of having citizens equipped with the political abilities that are required to keep the political power under control and ensure the good quality of the republic.

Keywords : Machiavelli; Republicanism; Liberalism; Democracy; Virtue.