In Refutation of Machiavelli's "The Prince"- Giovanni Botero's "Della Ragion di Stato (Reason of State) with Dr. Balbina Y. Hwan

with Dr. Balbina Y. Hwan

In his iconic work “The Prince,” Niccolò Machiavelli argued that a ruler could not govern morally and also be successful. In fervent response, Giovanni
Botero (c. 1544-1617) – a Savoyard philosopher, priest, poet, and diplomat – offered an eloquent refutation of Machiavelli’s argument in his treatise, “Della Ragion di Stato” (“Reason of State”). Although almost unrecognized today, Botero’s work was a political “bestseller” well into the 17th century, and his ideas greatly influenced the development of modern disciplines in political and social sciences, and even the study of economics. But perhaps his greatest contribution was launching an anti-machiavellian tradition of disputing Machiavelli not just in theory, but in the practice of politics, by proposing a system for the maintenance and expansion of a political state that can retain its moral character. In doing so, Botero made a significant contribution to the major political debate dominating 16th century Italian City-States: the relationship between politics and morality. Most significantly, Botero popularized the term “reason of state,” and was instrumental in establishing the modern concept of the political state-system. This webinar explores the fascinating life and work of this largely forgotten but important political theorist, who flourished during the tumultuous years of post-Renaissance Italy and Europe.