Abstract
John McCormick’s chapter further develops the motif of democracy found in Machiavelli’s republicanism. For his part, McCormick takes a critical view of the Cambridge School’s interpretation of the Roman model.
According to McCormick, the Cambridge School continues to think in terms of balance of political power while underestimating economic and social power. McCormick, on the other hand, emphasizes that Machiavelli considered the possibility of the people engaging in a confrontation with the ruling elites in order to resist their thirst for domination.
He emphasizes tools for the popular control of elites, such as tribunes and public accusations, that according to McCormick ensure the people’s real participation in power. McCormick appreciates the fact that, instead of vague considerations for participation, he proposes practical ways for how regular people can use institutionalized conflict in order to force elites of all kinds to be responsible and responsive towards them.