Political philosophy is a separate area of intellectual research aimed at studying the characteristics of power and the state, as well as the duties and rights of its citizens. This science, like other normative theory, specializes in explaining values, highlighting the moral and desirable standards for each individual and the power system in the country as a whole. Political philosophy, formed under the influence of certain ideas, covers the main real provisions that are characteristic of European countries in various historical periods. Analyzing the nature of power and the behavior of the leaders of the country, the scientists of the Middle Ages and the New Age understand perfectly that the actions of the sovereign should be aimed at obtaining changes for the better and preventing the deterioration of existing reality.
Teachings of Machiavelli
The political philosophy of Machiavelli was formed under the influence of the harsh reality characteristic of Italy in the 15th century. Although the scientist rather negatively assessed the role of religion and the church, which seeks to suppress each person and impose his vision of reality on him, the philosopher sees in this institution a rational kernel. Thus, Machiavelli believed that thanks to the directed actions of the clergy, it is possible to unite a disparate state into a strong power and unite the inhabitants.
However, the Catholic Church, on the contrary, did not seek to bring Italy to prosperity, since it strongly opposed the country's unity under the leadership of a secular politician, in whose capacity the king acted. Machiavelli believed that the state should be governed by a reasonable politician who does not violate moral standards, but, as necessary, may not profess good, but make decisions that are most suitable for a particular situation. Depending on his own goal, any ruler will be able to choose all kinds of means to enable him to achieve success and fulfill his wishes.
Renaissance doctrine
The sociopolitical philosophy of the Renaissance is a fusion of the ideas of various scholars about the essence of power and society, often formed under the influence of various utopian ideas. Since the life of Europeans of that time was considered in isolation from religious beliefs, many ideas concerned the changing role of the church in government. So, in many countries, Protestantism, which denies the authority of the Pope, takes the place of Catholicism , and this religious direction allowed the ruler to conduct an independent policy, without any intervention from the Vatican.
In the Renaissance, political philosophy relied heavily on the teachings of Machiavelli, and most prominent scientists were convinced that the purpose of the existence of the state was to suppress the low-lying features of each individual person. Therefore, the ruler should only seem noble, but not be such in fact, because otherwise he will be overthrown by intruders.
Ideal state
The political philosophy of the XVII-XIX centuries covered ideas about what qualities a modern ruler should have, and many scientists tried to imagine an ideal state. The teachings of the Utopian socialists Tommaso Campanella and Thomas More are especially notable, where the image of a mythical country is formed in which social justice triumphs and absolutely all contradictions between the leadership and subjects are eliminated. Pestilence criticized the hereditary power, and offered to choose all the rulers and officials on the basis of universal suffrage. In reality, in almost all states until the end of the 19th century the power of the monarch was absolute, therefore the ideas of Utopian socialists were ahead of their time.