Machiavelli+republic+essay

toc 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? =Instructions= =Resources= include page="Machiavelli bibliography" editable="true"
 * Read as much of Machiavelli's //[|Discourses]// as you can (especially from book I). Read also from //[|The Prince]//.
 * Do some secondary research - read some of the articles listed below, or do your own research. The point is to get acquainted with contrasting interpretations of Machiavelli, not so much to reproduce them in your paper; you still have to argue your own view, regardless of what others say.
 * Select a specific thesis: what is distinctive about Machiavelli's view of republican politics is that he thinks better of the people than does Aristotle, or that he attributes goals to the rich different from those that Aristotle attributes to them, etc. Contrast Machiavelli with a specific thinker we have discussed (e.g., Aristotle or Cicero). Try to find out specific differences with Aristotle or Cicero.
 * Discuss evidence that supports your view as well as passages that appear to undermine it. Cite [|The Prince] by chapter number and page number (if the latter is available), the [|Discourses] by book, chapter, and page number (if the latter is available). Cite also passages from Aristotle or Cicero to help you make the contrast.