The Nation-state in the political thought of Niccolò Machiavelli (a historical study)

Abstract

 In Machiavelli’s thought, the political state was regarded as a new intellectual epidemic that had infected politics. Some psychologists interpreted this view as portraying the individual as unemotional, detached from morality, capable of stripping away ethical virtue, and skilled in deceiving others. The driving forces of history, according to this perspective, were material or personal interests and the pursuit of power. Consequently, a profound struggle emerged between the classes of the people and those of the rulers . Machiavelli called for the establishment of a free national state—one liberated from feudal conflicts and capable of responding to popular unrest. His famous principle, “the end justifies the means,” encapsulates the idea that the struggle for power legitimizes whatever methods are necessary to achieve political stability. The Prince remains one of Machiavelli’s most significant works; however, it was published only after his death, and while some understood its intent, others harshly criticized it. Over time, its association with “evil” became deeply embedded in popular culture . Machiavelli also outlined the functional division of the state into three essential branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative branch formulates general laws of the state independent of social concerns; the executive branch organizes the collective affairs of governance; and the judicial branch resolves disputes arising from the application of laws . The nation-state, therefore, represents the spirit of collective identity, encompassing the individual’s willingness to make sacrifices—both in the past and in the future. Among the key features.