Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
Machiavelli and the Modern State
This book offers a significant reinterpretation of the history of republican political thought and of Niccolò Machiavelli’s place in it. It locates
Machiavelli’s political thought within enduring debates about the proper
size of republics. From the sixteenth century onward, as states grew
larger, it was believed that only monarchies could govern large territories
effectively. Republicanism was a form of government relegated to urban
city-states, anachronisms in the new age of the territorial state. For
centuries, history and theory were in agreement: constructing an extended
republic was as futile as trying to square a circle, but then James Madison
devised a compound representative republic that enabled popular government to take on renewed life in the modern era. This work argues
that Machiavelli had his own Madisonian impulse and deserves to be
recognized as the first modern political theorist to envision the possibility
of a republic with a large population extending over a broad territory.
Alissa M. Ardito is a Lecturer and Visiting Fellow in the Department
of Political Science at Yale University. She holds a PhD from Yale
University and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.
She has previously served as a Visiting Professor in the Department of
Political Science at Duke University and has been a Visiting Scholar at the
American Academy in Rome and a Fellow at Monticello’s International
Center for Jefferson Studies.
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
Machiavelli and the Modern State
The Prince, the Discourses on Livy, and the
Extended Territorial Republic
ALISSA M. ARDITO
Yale University
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, ny 10013-2473, usa
Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge.
It furthers the University’s mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of
education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107061033
© Alissa M. Ardito 2015
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2015
Printed in the United States of America
A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Ardito, Alissa M.
Machiavelli and the modern state : The prince, The discourses on Livy,
and the extended territorial republic / Alissa M. Ardito.
pages cm
isbn 978-1-107-06103-3 (hardback)
1. Republicanism – History. 2. Republics – History. 3. State, The –
Philosophy. 4. Machiavelli, Niccolò
1469–1527. I. Title.
jc421.a74 2014
320.1–dc23
2014022517
isbn 978-1-107-06103-3 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
urls for external or third-party Internet Web sites referred to in this publication
and does not guarantee that any content on such Web sites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
To My Mother and Father
and to the Memory of My Grandmother
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
Contents
List of Figures
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1
2
The Prince
The Dedication
Enter the Work
Cesare Borgia: Architect of the State
Found a Composite State on the People
The Final Three
The Spaces of Fortune
The Three Problems of an Extended Republic
The Search for Answers
Political Space in Early Modern Europe
The City of Rome
Venice, Sparta, Rome
Territorial Expansion: Books I and II
The City-State or the Territorial State – Florence or Tuscany
The Expansion of the Florentine Republic
City and Countryside
Book II
Incorporation Under One Rule
Dueling Models: Rome and Tuscany
Tuscany
3
Necessity: The Survival of the Republic
The Second Challenge
Enter Book II: Power Politics
Problems with Republican Foreign Policy
Reason of State
page ix
xi
1
12
28
39
50
56
65
68
76
77
82
86
89
95
95
100
101
105
108
118
122
129
131
136
138
141
vii
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
Contents
viii
4
5
Foreign Policy in the Florentine Republic
The Dictator
Power over Foreign Affairs in Ordinary Times
The Powers of the People in Foreign Policy
The Consulship
The Military Revolution
Return to Political Thought and Plans
146
149
153
161
168
172
177
Early Modern and Eighteenth-Century Transitions: From
Principality to Republic and from Colonies to Extended Republic
The Plan
The New Beginning
The Transition to a Republic
Constructing the Republic: Confederation or Consolidation?
The Daring Experiment
Composite Government in Theory
The Articles of Confederation
America’s Imperiled Republican Experiment
Prince in a Republic: Power over Foreign Affairs
The Debate over Foreign Affairs
The Ghosts of Rome
Reason of State and the American Republic
Envisioning an Extended Republic
The Madisonian Impulse
Considerations
France: The Modern Kingdom
“But Let Us Come to Rome”
Found on the People
The Ruins of Rome
The Tribunate
Elections
Assemblies and Freedom of Speech
The Collective Action Problem
A Citizen Army
The Power of People
Scandalous Gentlemen and Good Citizens
Ordinary People: Plebeians in the Renaissance
Territorial Citizenship
Territorial Institutions/Machiavelli’s Federalism
The Madisonian Impulse Revisited
The Discourses and On the Art of Building
183
184
188
190
193
197
201
204
207
211
221
226
228
232
233
241
243
256
258
262
265
269
272
274
277
281
286
289
291
293
296
301
Epilogue
303
Index
307
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
Figures
1
2
Italy about 1494. Insets: The Milanese under the Visconti,
1339–1402; the Republic of Florence, 1300–1494.
page 38
“Estates of the Church, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Republic of
Lucca & c.” from A General Atlas, Being a Collection of Maps of the
World and Quarters, the Principal Empires, Kingdoms &c. with
Their Several Provinces & Other Subdivisions, Correctly Delineated.
83
ix
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
Acknowledgments
I am delighted to be able to thank the many people and institutions that
supported this at times quixotic enterprise. This book began as a dissertation
in the Yale Department of Political Science. From the dissertation’s earliest
incarnation, my dissertation advisors astutely advised and encouraged me on
an odyssey that included exploring the Vatican Archives, directed me to sources,
and gave me the freedom to grow as a scholar. When I was a graduate student,
Norma Thompson, Frank M. Turner, and Vincent Scully provided me with
intellectual inspiration, and they remain exemplars.
Most of all, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Ian Shapiro whose
enduring faith in this project made it possible. For his commitment and scholarly
ideals, and for being an inspiring person and mentor, I am forever grateful.
Much appreciation is owed to the McMillan Center at Yale University for
providing financial support and assistance as I completed work on the manuscript. The Yale Political Science Department once more opened its doors to me
and became a much loved home, and for that I will always be thankful. I am also
deeply grateful to Steven Smith and Frances Rosenbluth for their continued
generosity and willingness to share astute insights, guidance, and encouragement. Steven Smith has always suggested the most illuminating sources, a rare
gift, which has benefited my interpretation of Machiavelli in myriad ways.
Quentin Skinner generously took the time to discuss the project with me and
provided encouragement, a privilege for which I am truly grateful. I only regret
that time did not permit me to incorporate his numerous insights.
Words of appreciation are due to Ryan Greenwood for taking the time to
provide valuable comments on the second chapter. I happily acknowledge the
incredible and indefatigable research assistance of Amy Rabinowitz and
Dimitiros Halikias. In addition, I would like to thank Brad Smith for his
enthusiasm for the project and wise counsel, as well as Barry McMillion for
his generous help in pursuing maps and illustrations. I must also thank Curtis
xi
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-1-107-06103-3 - Machiavelli and the Modern State: The Prince, the Discourses on Livy,
and the Extended Territorial Republic
Alissa M. Ardito
Frontmatter
More information
xii
Acknowledgments
Perrin for offering astute comments on my introduction and providing camaraderie and encouragement during a critical time.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the American Academy in Rome,
in my mind the most civilized place on earth, for twice granting me the opportunity to reside at the academy as a visiting scholar. It has been my great good
fortune to have had the opportunity to take advantage of the brilliant conversation and cultural legacy the academy preserves.
I must also thank Lew Bateman at Cambridge University Press for his support
of this project and his patience. I also thank Jeanie Lee, Devasena Vedamurthi, and
Suzette Andre Costello, for efficient and meticulous copyediting and proofreading.
My parents, Andrew and Mary Ann Ardito, and my sister Adria have lived
with this obsession for many years and have never ceased to offer unconditional
love, patience, and good humor.
I dedicate this book to my grandmother and to my father and mother. From
my earliest years, my grandmother, Eneria Di Lauro, inspired me with a devotion to learning. At the age of ninety-two she remained eager to discuss my
dissertation and provided thoughtful insights and comments. Above all, my
grandmother showed me that a questioning intellect and a strong moral character could be united in a loving heart. Throughout my life, my father and
mother have remained a constant source of loving support. My father, especially, taught me to appreciate all that is beautiful in the world – in nature, in
buildings, in history, and in people. Whatever imagination animates this book
and gives it life comes from him. To all of them, then, I dedicate this book with
love and gratitude.
© in this web service Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org