MACHIAVELLI’S CONCEPTUALIZATION OF HEGEMONY AND POWER IN RELATION WITH INTERNATIONAL LEGAL THOUGHT

Abstract

In this paper, the conceptualizations of the power and hegemony of Machiavelli are discussed based on the formation of international legal thought and international order. These conceptualizations are analyzed based on Machiavelli’s pieces, the Prince and Discourses which were written by Machiavelli between 1512-1517. Machiavelli studied these concepts to search for unity and order as a solution to devastating conflicts. One of the most important characteristics of Machiavelli in his political understanding depends on his transcendence of the period he had lived. In his thinking and conceptualization, he used the observation method and followed up his experiences. Despite his usage of observation, methodology, and experiences in the production and configuration of his basic concepts, he introduced and configured political concepts differently from the existing circumstances of his period. In Machiavelli’s conceptualization of power and hegemony, it is seen that the prevention of the eruption of conflict is the goal. In this paper, whether Machiavelli’s conceptualization of power and hegemony provides a framing of international legal thought as a basis for the formation of an acceptable international legal order is discussed.