What does political philosophy study?

Political philosophy is a separate field of intellectual research aimed at studying the features of power and the state, as well as the duties and rights of its citizens. This science, like other normative theory, specializes in explaining values, highlighting the moral and desirable standards for each individual and the system of power in the country as a whole. Political philosophy, formed under the influence of certain ideas, covers the main real positions characteristic of European countries in different historical periods. Analyzing the nature of the authorities and the behavior of the country's leaders, the scholars of the Middle Ages and the New Times perfectly understand that the sovereign's actions should be aimed at getting changes for the better and preventing deterioration of the existing reality.

The doctrine of Machiavelli

The political philosophy of Machiavelli was formed under the influence of harsh reality, characteristic of Italy in the fifteenth century. Although the scientist rather negatively assessed the role of religion and the church, which seeks to suppress every person and impose his vision of reality on him, the philosopher sees in this institution and a rational grain. Thus, Machiavelli believed that due to the directed actions of the clergy, it is possible to unite the scattered state into a strong power and rally the inhabitants.

However, the Catholic Church, on the contrary, did not seek to lead Italy to prosperity, because in every possible way it resisted the unification of the country under the leadership of a secular politician, in whose capacity the king spoke. Machiavelli believed that the state should be governed by a sensible politician who does not violate the norms of morality, but, as necessary, can not profess the good, but make the most appropriate decisions for a particular situation. Depending on their own goal, any ruler will be able to choose all kinds of means that allow him to achieve success and realize what he wants.

Teaching in the Renaissance

Socio-political philosophy of the Renaissance is a fusion of ideas of various scientists about the essence of power and society, often formed under the influence of various utopian ideas. Since the life of Europeans of the time was considered without interruption from religious beliefs, many ideas related to changing the role of the church in government. In many countries, for example, Protestantism, denying the authority of the Pope, comes to the place of Catholicism , and this religious direction allowed the ruler to pursue an independent policy, without any interference from the Vatican.

In the Renaissance, political philosophy largely relied on the Machiavellian doctrine, and most prominent scientists were convinced that the goal of the state's existence is to suppress the baser features of each individual person. Therefore, the ruler should only seem noble, but not be so in fact, because otherwise he will be overthrown by intruders.

The ideal state

Political philosophy of the XVII-XIX centuries covered ideas about what qualities a modern ruler should have, and many scientists tried to imagine an ideal state. The teachings of the utopian socialists Tommaso Campanella and Thomas More are especially prominent, where the image of a mythical country is formed in which social justice triumphs and absolutely all the contradictions between leadership and subjects are eliminated. Mor criticized hereditary power, and offered to choose all rulers and officials on the basis of universal suffrage. In reality, practically in all states until the end of the XIX century, the monarch's power was absolute, therefore the ideas of the utopian socialists were ahead of their time.