The art of power : Machiavelli, Nietzsche, and the making of aesthetic political theory

The Art of Power is a challenge to traditional political theory. Diego A. von Vacano examines the work of Machiavelli, arguing that he establishes a new, aesthetic perspective on political life. He then proceeds to carry out the most extensive analysis to date of an important relationship in political theory: that between the thought of Machiavelli and Friedrich Nietzsche. Arguing that these two theorists have similar aims and perspectives, this work uncovers the implications of their common way of looking at the human condition and political practice to elucidate the phenomenon of the persistence of aesthetic, sensory cognition as fundamental to the human experience, particularly to the political life. By exploring this relationship, The Art of Power makes a significant contribution to the growing interest in the intersection of aesthetic theory and political philosophy as well as in interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives on political theory. Diego A. von Vacano’s book fills an important hole in political theory literature. If one can say that Machiavelli inaugurates a certain modern conception of politics, one can also say that Nietzsche announces and analyzes its limits and its end. Von Vacano shows that both thinkers share a similar conception of the political and of human agency. The analyses are always sharp and the argument is clear and convincing. If, as Burckhardt argued, the state can be thought of as a work of art, von Vacano shows us what this actually entails. He also shows us why Nietzsche has to be understood as having a conception of and concern for the political. (Tracy B. Strong, University of California, San Diego) An interpretation of Machiavelli and Nietzsche that is crucial for understanding the post–9/11 universe. The link between modern atheism, aesthetic political theory, and the sense of the tragic is drawn with force and clarity. Diego von Vacano has made a major contribution to contemporary political thinking. (Anthony Parel, University of Calgary) The Art of Power is a provocative study that incites readers to consider the place of spectacle and aesthetic experience in the political writings of Machiavelli—and therefore, modern politics, as well. (John P. McCormick, University of Chicago) At last a book that focuses not on how politics ought to be but on how politics is through the guidance of two excellent mentors: Machiavelli and Nietzsche. (Maurizio Viroli, Princeton University) . . . Von Vacano has broken valuable ground, exhibits intimacy with a wide sweep of Western political thought, and marries Nietzsche to his beloved Niccolò (at long last!) by way of the book's greatest strength: close, novel interpretations of paired texts mined productively to illuminate one another. (Political Theory) This book is admirable for its large ambitions. . . .Von Vacano has boldly brought our attention to a serious subject and has earnestly raised the question of whether and how Machiavelli and Nietzsche can help us to grapple with. (Perspectives on Politics, March 2008 Vol 6, No. 1) Vacano's book focuses on a very important but often neglected connection in political theory, that between Machiavelli and Nietzsche.... Vacano's book is a serious attempt to refound modern political thought, or to rethink its foundations. It is a very important work in two respects: firstly in highlighting the connection between Machiavelli and Nietzsche...and secondly in focusing on aesthetic dimensions of politics. (Redescriptions, 2008, Vol 12) The author...offers a unique aesthetic political theory, one intended to address the very different reality of our modern age....Von Vacano's book deserves praise... (Jeffrey Church Review Of Politics, 2009, Vol 71) Contents 8 Abbreviations 10 Acknowledgements 12 Introduction: Art, Power, and Knowledge 14 Notes 22 PART 1 24 Chapter 1: Machiavelli's Ass and the Poetics of Political Life 24 Introduction 24 The Freedom to Follow One's Own Nature 26 The Trials of Politics 30 Ingratitude in Human Life 34 Human Beings in the Cosmos 37 Fearing Fortune 39 The Beauty of Eros 44 The Aesthetic Redemption of Life 46 Conclusion 50 Notes 51 Chapter 2: Tragic Machiavelli: The Agon of the Heroic Prince 56 Introduction 56 The Nature of The Prince 57 The Princely Hero 60 To Have "One's Own Arms:" The Value oflndependence 66 Acquisition: To Make Things Your Own 70 Appearance and Artfulness: When You Do Not Have, Seem to Have 74 Conclusion 77 Notes 79 PART 2 86 Chapter 3: Nietzsche's Machiavellism 86 Introduction 86 Man in a Broken World 91 Agonism and Moral Philosophy 95 In Search of Permanence: Time and Durability 98 The Absurd Comedy of an Unstable Self 101 Subjectivity and Perspective 105 Of Virtu and Will to Power 108 Virtu as Aesthetic Action 109 Will to Power as Virtuoso Action 110 Conclusion 115 Notes 117 Chapter 4: A Machiavellian Zarathustra: The Aesthetic Politics of Value Creation 124 Introduction 124 Excursus: Writing Tragedy, Writing Comedy 126 Zarathustra's Machiavellian Turn 131 Zarathustra's "Golden Ass": Book Four and Its Meaning 135 Conclusion 144 Notes 145 PART 3 152 Chapter 5: The Form of Aesthetic Political Theory 152 Introduction 152 Plato's Apparent Assault on Art 154 What is "Art"? 155 From Mimesis to Imitation 158 Deception 160 Representation and Misrepresentation 161 Emotion and Expression 162 Form 164 The Politics of Taste 165 Aesthetic Political Theory and Ethics? 168 Notes 169 Chapter 6: Aesthetic Political Theory and Modernity 172 Introduction 172 Plato's Artistry 173 Heidegger and the Politicized Work of Art 176 Arendt's Blurred Kantian Lens 182 The Art of Esoteric Writing: Strauss and the Aesthetics of Politics 186 The Fragility of Beauty: Liberalism and the Aesthetic 190 Conclusion 195 Notes 196 Conclusion: Spectacular Politics 198 Introduction 198 Representations of Power 199 Monuments, Statues, and Symbols of the Republic 201 The Performance of Terror 203 Acts of War 205 Conclusion 207 Notes 208 Bibliography 210 Index 220 ISBN-13:,9780739110881,(cloth:,alk.,paper),ISBN-lO:,0-7391-1088-8,(cloth:,alk.,paper),ISBN-13:,978-0-7391-2193-1,(pbk.:,alk.,paper),ISBN-l,0:,0-7391-2193-6,(pbk.,:,alk.,paper The Art Of Power Is A Challenge To Traditional Political Theory. Diego A. Von Vacano Examines The Work Of Machiavelli, Arguing That He Establishes A New Aesthetic Perspective On Political Life. He Then Carries Out The Most Extensive Analysis To Date Of An Important Relationship In Political Theory: That Between The Thought Of Niccolo Machiavelli And Friedrich Nietzsche. The Art Of Power Makes A Significant Contribution To The Growing Interest In The Intersection Of Aesthetic Theory And Political Philosophy, As Well As In Interdisciplinary And Comparative Perspectives On Political Theory.--jacket. Introduction: Art, Power, And Knowledge -- Chapter 1. Machiavelli's Ass And The Poetics Of Political Life -- Chapter 2. Tragic Machiavelli: The Agon Of The Heroic Prince -- Chapter 3. Nietzsche's Machiavellism -- Chapter 4. A Machiavellian Zarathustra: The Aesthetic Politics Of Value Creation -- Chapter 5. The Form Of Aesthetic Political Theory -- Chapter 6. Aesthetic Political Theory And Modernity -- Conclusion: Spectacular Politics. Diego A. Von Vacano. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [197]-205) And Index. The Art of Power is a challenge to traditional political theory. Diego A. von Vacano examines the work of Machiavelli, arguing that he establishes a new aesthetic perspective on political life. He then carries out the most extensive analysis to date of an important relationship in political theory: that between the thought of Niccolo Machiavelli and Friedrich Nietzsche. The Art of Power makes a significant contribution to the growing interest in the intersection of aesthetic theory and political philosophy, as well as in interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives on political theory.

About the Author:
Diego A. van Vacano is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University