Nietzsche's Machiavellian Politics

by D. Dombowsky

Overview

In this exciting new study, Don Dombowsky proposes that the foundation of Nietzsche's political thought is the arisratic liberal critique of democratic society. But he claims that Nietzsche radicalizes this critique through a Machiavellian conversion, based on a reading of The Prince , adapting Machiavellian virtù (the shaping capacity of the legislator), and immoralism (the techniques applied in political rule), and that, consequently, Nietzsche is better understood in relation to the political ideology of the neo-Machiavellian elite theorists of his own generation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349516735
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/2004
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2004
Pages:	221
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

DON DOMBOWSKY is currently teaching at Bishop's University, Canada. He has published articles in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies and Nietzsche-Studien.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction PART 1: WILLS TO POWER, GENEALOGY: WHICH ONES ARE AT WAR? Ressentiment Command and obedience Arisracy, the masses and the European worker The social contract Freedom and the free spirits Order of rank The reverence for institutions The revaluation of all values: Die große Politik Political organization and resistance: The new party of life PART 2: THE RADICAL LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC READING OF NIETZSCHE The thesis of a discontinuity between Nietzsche's philosophy and his politics The subject Perspectivism Agonism Pity PART 3: NIETZSCHE AND ARISTOCRATIC LIBERALISM Excursus The state Egalitarianism Individualism PART 4: NIETZSCHE AND MACHIAVELLIANISM Philosophical parallels Virtù Immoralism The right to rule and the process of legitimation Control and manipulation Nietzsche and neo-Machiavellianism (Nietzsche's Machiavellian militancy) Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index