Servidor republicano: política nos "textos menores" de Maquiavel

Abstract

This article reviews twenty-four minor texts by Machiavelli on politics, mostly from the period of his service in the Florentine Chancellery. The texts are examples of applied political science as well as policy proposals and strategies. Together, they provide new research opportunities and distinct insights into Machiavelli's political science and republicanism. They may help resolve ambiguities in his major works whose theoretical purpose and political positions are still subject to debate and evaluation. Discussion of each of those minor texts on politics based on recent studies and their placement within Florences domestic and international politics suggest that Machiavellis realism is tempered by a strong value of republicanism and freedom - internal and external. Such characteristics of machiavellis political thought are not always clear in The Prince, the Discourses, and his other major political and literary works that were not part of Machiavellis public service to the Florentine republic.