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Through his exploration of political agendas, Maurizio Viroli’s book attempts to demonstrate how the concept of republicanism differs from that of political authoritarianism. He makes this distinction through the comparison of both ideologies.
The Italian author’s book presents the argument that the concept of republicanism is in direct oposition to that of political authoritarianism,which, the author suggests, presents as having no brake or system
The emergence of the republican school of political thought is explored, through consideration of historial influences The author then reflects upon the meaning of political freedom. It is at this juncture that the focus of the book shifts, in order to explore the republican interpretation of civic virtue. Through this exploration, Viroli attempts to demonstrate that such virtue is not limited to heroes and saints, but is meant for all in the current time.
In the last chapters of the book the author turns his attentions towards a discussion of "republican patriotism", and questions the nature of real republicanism. He proposes that perhaps this idea of patriotism is the only feeling that is capable of making individuals, who were brought up in different cultural, religious and ethnic conditions, work together for the sake of public interest.
Despite recognising the need for, and importance of, constitutional systems and effective laws, Viroli notes that they, alone, are not enough to defend countries from external threat. He proposes that unless a nation’s citizens are wise enough to realise that their personal interests are inseparable from the public interest, and that it is beneficial for them to be involved within their community, they will not have the ability, or the inclination, to resist aggressors. . The manifestation of this partiular wisdom and social awareness, is identified by political comentators as "civic virtue".
Viroli concludes that the biggest threat to public liberty lies in political corruption which, he argues, limits the ability of individuals to to accurately judge different people and situations. He reasons that political corruption prevents, otherwise informed, persons from distinguishing between virtue and vice. The author sugests that such corruption may also strip people of the necessary moral force to resist oppression and fight injustice. He proposes that this leads to servility andmalleability. .
Viroli is a Professor of Politics at Princeton University. He has published several books, including; “From Politics to Reason of State” and “For Love of Country: An Essay on Patriotism and Nationalism.”
The book “Republicanism” was translated into Arabic by Nasser Ismail . Ismail is Egyptian and currently lives in Italy. He acquired a Ph.D. from the University of Cagliari in Sardinia. He teaches Arabic language and literature in Genoa University.
The Italian author’s book presents the argument that the concept of republicanism is in direct oposition to that of political authoritarianism,which, the author suggests, presents as having no brake or system
The emergence of the republican school of political thought is explored, through consideration of historial influences The author then reflects upon the meaning of political freedom. It is at this juncture that the focus of the book shifts, in order to explore the republican interpretation of civic virtue. Through this exploration, Viroli attempts to demonstrate that such virtue is not limited to heroes and saints, but is meant for all in the current time.
In the last chapters of the book the author turns his attentions towards a discussion of "republican patriotism", and questions the nature of real republicanism. He proposes that perhaps this idea of patriotism is the only feeling that is capable of making individuals, who were brought up in different cultural, religious and ethnic conditions, work together for the sake of public interest.
Despite recognising the need for, and importance of, constitutional systems and effective laws, Viroli notes that they, alone, are not enough to defend countries from external threat. He proposes that unless a nation’s citizens are wise enough to realise that their personal interests are inseparable from the public interest, and that it is beneficial for them to be involved within their community, they will not have the ability, or the inclination, to resist aggressors. . The manifestation of this partiular wisdom and social awareness, is identified by political comentators as "civic virtue".
Viroli concludes that the biggest threat to public liberty lies in political corruption which, he argues, limits the ability of individuals to to accurately judge different people and situations. He reasons that political corruption prevents, otherwise informed, persons from distinguishing between virtue and vice. The author sugests that such corruption may also strip people of the necessary moral force to resist oppression and fight injustice. He proposes that this leads to servility andmalleability. .
Viroli is a Professor of Politics at Princeton University. He has published several books, including; “From Politics to Reason of State” and “For Love of Country: An Essay on Patriotism and Nationalism.”
The book “Republicanism” was translated into Arabic by Nasser Ismail . Ismail is Egyptian and currently lives in Italy. He acquired a Ph.D. from the University of Cagliari in Sardinia. He teaches Arabic language and literature in Genoa University.
