Freedom as no-rule in Machiavelli: notes on Miguel Vatter’s interpretation

Abstract

: Recent interpretations of Machiavelli's work have inscribed the author's thought into a republican political tradition. However, this convergence of readings is not a peaceful point, given that several commentators debate the extent to which Machiavelli fits into this tradition. This is the case of Miguel Vatter, who takes up the Florentine's work in a critical way to question some of the foundations of a certain republican tradition, such as the link between freedom and law. Indeed, for the commentator, Machiavelli opens a new perspective of republicanism by breaking this link and associating freedom with the desire of the people as a non-government. Thus, we intend to return to Miguel Vatter's interpretation of freedom as non-government in Machiavelli and make some considerations about his comment, especially with regard to the status of the law and the people in Machiavelli's discourse.