Notes on reading for Brucker, Chapter 4 "politics"

Internal tensions: Savonarola; original, Pazzi conspiracy

What are the roots of Florentine thought on politics? To whom did the Florentines owe allegiance? and how serious was that allegiance felt?

Characterize the Florentine republic: in terms of citizens? Who controlled the state and why the the majority yield to the minority? What kinds of controls were applied to magistrates?

How did the patricians control the state? consider the role of consensus and discussion in the process.

How did the system allow for honor (it is honorable to help your friends) and impartiality (one must not be swayed by partison interests) to play out in the political process?

How did the commune cope with dissent and division? Note the problems that could arise if the political class was deeply divided.

Note that the greatest fear for the Florentines was to lose their "republic" and to come under the control of a tyranny.

 

For discussion

1. What structures did the Florentines adopt to preserve their republic?

2. According to Brucker, ''all politics is personal". What did that mean to the Florentines? and how did they correct for it?