TEÓRICOS DO ABSOLUTISMO - Maquiavel.

Summary

This video delves into the theories of monarchical absolutism, focusing on key political thinkers such as Hobbes, Bodin, Bossuet, and Machiavelli. The lecture examines how the monarchy transitioned from a feudal system to a centralized authority, balancing the interests of the bourgeoisie and nobility. Machiavelli's contributions are highlighted, particularly his advocacy for political pragmatism, the separation of morality from politics, and his belief in the ruthless pursuit of power. The session connects these ideas to the rise of early commercial capitalism and the evolution of the modern state.

Takeaways

• 😀 The monarch's role in absolutism shifts from being a promoter of justice in medieval times to an administrator of the modern nation-state.
• 😀 Absolutism theory is shaped by key political thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, Jean Bodin, Jacques Bousset, and Niccolò Machiavelli.
• 😀 The political power in absolutism involves manipulating social conflicts, particularly between the bourgeoisie and nobility, to maintain control.
• 😀 The monarch balances social conflicts by favoring one class or the other based on what benefits their interests, often in a Machiavellian way.
• 😀 Absolutism leads to the centralization of power, where the monarch becomes the sole representative of the nobility, moving away from feudal systems.
• 😀 The state, under absolutism, becomes the legal instrument that secures the interests of the dominant class, often represented by the monarch.
• 😀 The transition from feudalism to early capitalism during the modern era is supported by absolutist policies, with early commercial capitalism emerging.
• 😀 Machiavelli, through his work 'The Prince', emphasizes the need for centralization of power to stabilize fragmented political systems like that of Italy during the Renaissance.
• 😀 Machiavelli introduces the concepts of 'virtù' (talent and will to achieve power) and 'fortuna' (fortune or luck), both of which are necessary for a successful ruler.
• 😀 Machiavelli separates morality from politics, arguing that political decisions should be based on pragmatic considerations rather than ethical or religious ideals.
• 😀 Political realism, as advocated by Machiavelli, focuses on practical, empirical actions and the need for rulers to adapt to situations to secure power and maintain the state.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is on the theories of monarchical absolutism, exploring works by key thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, Jean Bodin, Jacques Bousset, and Niccolò Machiavelli, which contributed to legitimizing the theory of absolute monarchy.

What role does the king play in the context of absolutism?

In the context of absolutism, the king transitions from merely promoting justice as in the medieval period, to becoming the central administrator of the nation-state, balancing the social struggle between the bourgeoisie and the nobility.

How does the king manipulate power according to the script?

The king manipulates power by strategically favoring either the bourgeoisie or the nobility based on what serves his interests best, often using the conflict between these two groups to maintain control.

What is the significance of the state in absolutism?

The state is seen as the legal instrument that secures the interests of the dominant class, which is the nobility, now centralized and represented by the king. It is also a transitional state from feudalism to pre-capitalism, especially commercial capitalism.

What is meant by the 'first primitive accumulation of capital' during this period?

The first primitive accumulation of capital refers to the early stages of capitalist growth, particularly commercial capitalism, before the industrial capitalism that emerged with the first industrial revolution in England.

How does Machiavelli's theory relate to the political context of Italy during his time?

Machiavelli advocated for political centralization in Italy, which was fragmented and weakened by multiple competing states. He believed that centralizing power under a strong leader was necessary for Italy to expand and defend itself against external threats.

What are the two key traits Machiavelli believed a ruler should have?

Machiavelli believed a ruler should possess 'virtù' (talent and will to conquer power) and 'fortuna' (the ability to capitalize on favorable situations to maintain power).

Why did Machiavelli separate morality from politics?

Machiavelli separated morality from politics because he believed that political leaders must act pragmatically, using any means necessary to achieve and maintain power, which may not align with moral or ethical norms.

How did Machiavelli's view of human nature influence his political ideas?

Machiavelli had a pessimistic view of human nature, believing people were selfish, deceitful, and motivated by personal interests. This led him to propose a political system where rulers focus on practical outcomes rather than idealistic or moral considerations.

What does Machiavelli's statement 'the ends justify the means' refer to?

The phrase 'the ends justify the means' is often associated with Machiavelli, though he did not explicitly state it. It reflects his belief that a ruler should use any necessary methods, including immoral ones, to secure and maintain power for the state, even if those actions are ethically questionable.