Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The primary purpose of this paper is to creatively rethink Machiavelli’s virtú as the transformative means of extraordinary politics, a hinge that connects his concepts of “might” and “laws” to his understanding of politics as the activity of flexibly adjusting to ‘unexpected political changes.’ I will focus on two types of ‘virtú,’ personal and institutional. In the first case of ‘personal virtú ,’which Machiavelli presents in The Prince, I will explore the importance of the “new” prince and the abilities and characteristics he needs in order to be “new”. In the second case of ‘institutional virtú’, which he presents in The Discourse, I will attempt to shed light on the role of ‘class conflict’ as the source of a state’s political vitality. Finally, I will argue that virtú constitutes the core of Machiavelli’s transformative politics which enables the transition from a state of emergency to normal politics by way extraordinary politics, the realization of which requires a prince to merge with his people towards the founding, sustaining, and glorification of a republic. More concretely, I will argue that Machiavelli attempted to transform the principality governed by might into a republic governed by laws.