Abstract

This essay tries to explain differences and affinities between Spinoza’s and Machiavelli’s views on the problem of political action and the constitution of the State (politeia). Spinoza considers the question from the point of view of his general philosophical system and deduces from its principles the idea of the democratic republic as the better form of government. Machiavelli, on the other side, defends the republican idea in so far it can appear the more corresponding to the historical experience and to the same aim of the State: duration and empowerment. Both, nevertheless, are opposed, in conflict with the main currents of the political philosophy of their times, to any form of absolute government