POLS 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Stretto, Classical Republicanism, Totalitarianism
11 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Renaissance represents major break in general trajectory of western history - a break, but also a return to elements of classical civilization that had been forgotten by christian middle. Middle ages - god at centre of all things. Renaissance - replaces centrality of god with centrality of man, humanism. Newfound emphasis on high capacities of mankind. Also a return to democracy, only regime that acknowledges the capacities of all citizens - participation of citizens in creation of laws. Return to democracy evident in city-republics of florence and venice. Type of political spirit that will prevail is republicanism - emphasis on man"s existence as political animals - civic humanism. Political unities that are seriously divided and strati ed - different levels of class in florence and venice. In addition to 5 different social classes, division within guilds as well. Tumultuous nature of political life - divisions lead to con ict - politics torn by factionalism.
