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Machiavelli's Influence on the Founding Fathers of the U.S

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Machiavelli's Influence on the Founding Fathers of the U.S

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A hot topic for debate among scholars, many argue that Machiavelli had a major impact upon the political ideas of the Founding Fathers at the time of their creation of the Constitution. Those such as Benjamin Franklin, James Maddison, and Thomas Jefferson draw upon Machiavelli's ideas of Republicanism expressed in his work "Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy" during Alexander Hamilton's founding of the Federalist Party, when many saw as a rise to power from the aristocracy and central government. Another example of Machiavelli's teachings in the founding of the U.S was in John Adams' vast knowledge of Machiavelli expressed in his "Defense of the Constitution". In his paper, he writes of how Machiavelli "restored reason to matters of governemnt" through his political scientific approach of values and facts, rather than the will of a Monarchy at large. Garnering the title of "The Father of Modernity", Machiavelli's ideas, unfortunately too ahead of his time, were vital in the formation of a new nation where the power of the government was fostered from the people who truly understood the difference between liberty and security; truly forming a government"of the people, by the people, for the people."

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Although praised as the father of modernity in politics, this rise to fame came not without criticism; mainly extending from his amoral and nonreligious political alignment. Many dubbed him the "apostle of the Devil" and a "teacher of evil". However, his teachings have come to influence many political leaders in world history such as John Adams and Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the exposure of the fragility and immorality of the one-man ruler. They see that, rather than an immoralist, Machiavelli was rather a scientist who viewed politics as a field of facts and values that could be quantified and adjusted. Some could even say that Machiavelli is a possible founder of the resulting Scientific Revolution of the 17th century in Italy.

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In his first book, The Prince, Machiavelli deduces royalty and power down to its core as amoral and declares politics itself as without morals as well. Building on this stance; dividing rulership into the possession of authority and the possession of power as Machiavelli claims, means that "authority and power are essentially coequal: whoever has power has the right to command; but goodness does not ensure power and the good person has no more authority by virtue of being good." Thus, being good doesn't attain someone authority and without authority there is no power; therefore meaning that being good is pointless in the pursuit of power.

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Italian philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, born to a prestigious family in Florence in 1469, saw the rise and fall of several regimes in Italy during his lifetime and eventually rose to power as the Second Chancellor of the Florentine Republic. Although he accrued many feats during his political occupation, it wasn't until his retirement in 1512 that his interest in political philosophy took off. Interestingly enough, several of his book commentating on his philosophical theories have several interpretations that cover a multitude of political theories.

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Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy (1st Interpretation)

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Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy (1st Interpretation)

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Although it is the less popular of Machiavelli's books, Discourses of Livy has a surprisingly honest perspective on the true nature of Machiavelli's political beliefs; mainly those pertaining to his republican values. Leading away from his criticisms of the ruler, Machiavelli looks towards the structure of government in his later years as he establishes that "A minimal constitutional order is one in which subjects live securely..., ruled by a strong government which holds in check the aspirations of both nobility and people, but is in turn balanced by other legal and institutional mechanisms." Taking note of the difference of socioeconomic classes in society, Machiavelli explains that said classes can only be governed by a system that serves to meet their needs but also has a system of checks and balances to keep the rulers or "Princes" in check.

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Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy (2nd Interpretation)

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Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy (2nd Interpretation)

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Unlike The Prince, which makes little to no comment on the French Monarchy at the time, Discourses of Livy surprisingly gives praise to the French in their political successes as a hereditary monarchy in a contrast to show "the best case scenario of a monarchic regime with the institutions and organization of a republic." To Machiavelli, a monarchic regime at its best doesn't come close to a republican government; in that one can offer security while the other offers liberty, and what the French Monarchy was successful at was providing security for his people. Unknowingly, the people see liberty and security as the same and thus have no issue being governed by the monarchy. However, they are not the same and one example that displays this is the disarmament of the people in France. Although the king comments on the greatness and tranquility of his people, it comes at the price of forced removal of all weapons from the hands of the people and surrenders them helpless to the will of the king; disregarding their true happiness and peace in his kingdom.

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Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy (3rd Interpretation)

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Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy (3rd Interpretation)

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Bringing us to the true "modernity" of Machiavelli's teachings, his commentary on the capability of the people in governing themselves and bringing to fruition true liberty is what has carried the most influence throughout the centuries. In his writings, he seemingly places much trust in the public to act in their own best interest and govern themselves, claiming that "a people is more prudent, more stable, and of better judgement than a prince". Tying into The Prince, he expresses that while a prince must worry for his own authority and survival in power, the people only worry for their own communal issues in their day-to-day lives. Concerned with defending their own liberty rather than their security, thus concludes that the people, not a prince, are much more suited to rule..

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“Biography - Machiavelli.” Niccolò Machiavelli, 30 Sept. 2017, thegreatthinkers.org/machiavelli/biography/.

“A Guide to Machiavelli's Political Philosophy.” Niccolò Machiavelli, 5 Aug. 2016, thegreatthinkers.org/machiavelli/.

McLean, Assistant Professor John. “Western Civilization.” Machiavelli | Western Civilization, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/machiavelli/.

Nederman, Cary. “Niccolò Machiavelli.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 28 May 2019, plato.stanford.edu/entries/machiavelli/#PrinAnalPowe.