Morality and politics: what Machiavelli has to teach us

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of relations between politics and morality in The Prince of Niccolo Machiavelli. It is shown that Machiavelli’s position concerning this question differs significantly from both that of Aristotle and the one implied in more recent vulgar versions of Machiavellianism. Machiavelli's main idea can be summarized this way: do not turn aside the Good whenever possible and take the path of Evil whenever necessary for the benefit of the state.