The Plebs as “Guardian (Guardia)”:

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Other Title
  • 「監視者」 としての平民階級
  • Machiavelli’s understanding of the role in plebs
  • ―マキァヴェッリの共和主義における平民理解

Abstract

<p>This paper shows that Machiavelli (1496–1527) keeps warm the people (il popolo) from the 1510s–1520s, and the people cannot occupy the prestigious position in the state in Machiavelli’s thought. Whereas The Discourses on Livy highlights the accusation of the tribune of plebs, its abuse and aggressive expansion is the pestilence to be corrected. Thus, the tribune of the plebs is never the ultimate solution to keep the balance between the competing entities. This affair stems from the evils of the plebs. For example, there is no assumption of infallibility in Machiavelli’s plebs, and the plebs are no less ferocious than the nobles. In this case, Machiavelli depends on the plebs because the plebs are less inclined to fall into error than the others (the nobles / the princes). Therefore, the creation of the tribunes of the plebs and the expansion of the plebs’ power cannot guarantee the equilibrium between the adversaries in Machiavelli’s thought. Besides, he follows this negative position from the 1520s.</p>

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