Abstract
This article advances a hypothesis which differs from those usually formulated about “The Prince”. Here, Machiavelli is not simply a scholar versed in politicalphilosophy. The theories that he expounds on in this particular piece of work would, in part, be the result of long-term efforts he undertook to gain power for himself and become a sovereign. In order to support this assertion, it is necessary to turn to his biography. His interventions as a high official (particularly during the latter years of the Florentine Republic) have been compared to the reflections he compiled in The Prince . This information points to the fact that Machiavelli followed a meticulous plan in order to carry out a coup d´état, taking shelter behind Soderini – agonfalonier for life – for whom he acted as main counsellor. Some of his contemporaries (and his political enemies in particular) already expressed their suspicions in that regard. The corresponding references have been included in the article.
Highlights
En cualquier persona que, habiendo teorizado sobre el poder, ocupó altos cargos políticos, resulta de gran interés estudiar de forma conjunta su obra teórica y su biografía, porque ambas se complementan y proyectan luz la una sobre la otra
It is believed that Machiavelli projected to seize power in Florence and that The Prince systematizes his reflections on the matter
In order to support this assertion, it is necessary to turn to his biography. His interventions as a high official have been compared to the reflections he compiled in The Prince
Summary
Habiendo teorizado sobre el poder, ocupó altos cargos políticos, resulta de gran interés estudiar de forma conjunta su obra teórica y su biografía, porque ambas se complementan y proyectan luz la una sobre la otra. En gran medida ello deriva del hecho de que parece existir una contradicción entre sus dos libros principales, “El príncipe” por una parte y los “Discursos sobre la primera década de Tito Livio” por otra. Destaca Pocock”: El “príncipe nuevo” (príncipe nuovo) se encontraba completamente privado de cualquier legitimidad y, en consecuencia no podía ser lo que nosotros llamamos un rey (...) un rey debería estar en condiciones de poder negar siempre ser hijo de la fortuna -excepto en las ocasiones en que adquiría un territorio sobre el que no poseía título previo- (...) “El príncipe” es un estudio sobre el tema del “príncipe nuevo” (príncipe nuovo) -lo sabemos por la correspondencia de Maquiavelo y porque lo evidencia su propio contenido. El año 1520 Maquiavelo escribió “La Vida de Castruccio Castracani”, sobre un condotiero de principios del siglo XIV, que fue liberado de la cárcel en el curso de una revuelta popular y nombrado señor de Lucca, desarrollando después varias campañas militares.
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