Paradoxical Republicanism: James Harrington’s Reading of Machiavelli

In this article, we analyse the theoretical elements that form the foundation of James Harrington’s political theory, demonstrating that they are primarily constructed in relation to Machiavelli’s legacy. We intend to show that Harrington’s relationship with Machiavelli’s republicanism is paradoxical through: (1) the analysis of Harrington’s selective use of certain classical sources in relation to Machiavelli; (2) the evolution of Harrington’s thought; 3) the relationship between the Roman model and the Spartan model. In his republican model Harrington tries to respond to two self-imposed requirements that, we believe, conflict with each other: that of developing a sincerely republican system while keeping his distance from Machiavelli’s more radical and pro-popular positions. Our thesis is that Harrington elaborates his political theory from these conflicting goals and that this sometimes-contradictory need creates tensions that make his republicanism paradoxical.