Essay+Topics+for+New+Conceptions+of+Politics

For this theme, you have a choice among the following essay topics:
 * Due date: Monday 18 August (first day of midterm break), via e-mail before 5:00 pm**
 * Note that you must complete at least one essay before the midterm break!**
 * Does Machiavelli advocate “immoral” means in politics and war? Present specific textual evidence, pro and con. How does Machiavelli’s view of politics differ from Ancient and Christian views of politics? For a detailed description of this essay topic, see here.
 * What is the relationship between Machiavelli’s The Prince and his Discourses on Livy? Does Machiavelli advocate tyranny or do his sympathies lie with “free” forms of government? In short, what is Machiavelli's intention in writing The Prince? For a detailed description of this essay topic, see here.
 * How does Machiavelli’s notion of a free republic differ from the ancient conception of a good regime (as found in, e.g., Aristotle or Cicero)? What is distinctive about Machiavelli's ideas about politics in free states in comparison to ancient ideas about republics? For a detailed description of this essay topic, see here.