Classical republicanism

Classical republicanism is a body of political thought which was developed in Western Europe and Britain during the Renaissance. During this time period Europe was largely dominated by dynastic monarchies and classical republicanism was a reaction to this form of rule. More specifically, it is a form of republicanism which stresses the restraint of power through the use of mixed government and aims at active participation in government and public life by all levels of society. Classical republicanism grew from the ideas of Niccolo Maciavelli (1469-1527) who in turn followed the ideas of such classical writers as Aristotle, Cicero, and Polybius.