The influence of Machiavelli in the American Neo-conservatives. Coincidences and discrepancies

Abstract

Abstract:
This article refers to an issue pending: the systematic comparison, point by point, of the ideas about the law and policy of Machiavelli, representative of the Renaissance political theory, and the American neo-conservatives. Despite the separation of several centuries, there are great similarities between the Florentine author of the transition from the 15th century to the 16th and American neoconservatives of the 21th century.
The methodology followed is the comparative analysis of the ideas of the Florentine author and the neoconservatives in each of sections of the work. The relevant conclusion is that the ideas of Machiavelli on political wisdom, especially the ability of prediction and resolution of future political events, is not present in the neoconservatives, in this regard forgetful disciples of the Florentine master, while there is a great coincidence in moral relativism, relationship of virtue and fortune, history as method and citizen militia.

Summary:
1. INTRODUCTION. 2. THE AMERICAN NEOCONSERVATIVES. MEANING AND SCOPE. 3. MORAL RELATIVISM IN POLITICS. 4. VIRTUE AND FORTUNE. TIME IN POLITICS. 5. HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE: METHODS OF UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF POLITICS. 6. POLITICAL WISDOM. 7. THE CITIZEN’S MILITIA. 8. CONCLUSIONS.