Macchiavelli's Theory of Political Action: Tragedy, Irony and Choice

R. del Aguila

Working Papers from European Institute - Political and Social Sciences

Abstract: This paper deals with some elements of Machiavelli's theory of political action and its relation with tragedy and choice. 1) I will sketch 3 different interpretations of his work. 2) I will analyse how political action often involves tragic choices between common good and justice, and how this fact might develop (or not) political judgement and the virtue of compassion among citizens. 3) I will consider the relationship between tragedy and irony, and their dangerous connections with cruelty, with particular attention to the work of Machiavelli. 4) I will try to summarize the argument and to answer the question: Was Machiavelli a tragic thinker?.

Keywords: TRAGEDY; POLITICAL ACTION; THEORY (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B31 E65 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 40 pages
Date: 2001
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fth:europs:2001/3

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