Polikarp, Gučetić and Petrić - The Beginning of Croatian Political Science Cover Image

Polikarp, Petrić i Gučetić i pitanje početka hrvatske političke znanosti
Polikarp, Gučetić and Petrić - The Beginning of Croatian Political Science

Author(s): Marinko Šišak
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, 16th Century
Published by: Fakultet političkih znanosti u Zagrebu
Keywords: Croatia; political science; Polikarp; Gučetić; Petrić; political philosophy;

Summary/Abstract: In this work, the author attempts to find and show the beginnings of Croatian political science. The author considers 16th century practical philosophy and political work of Croatian political historians Ivan Polikarp Severitan, Franjo Petrie, and Nikola Vitov Gučetić. In spite of the fact that Croatian political philosophy is considerably more diverse in this century, the above-named authors were chosen because their work is representative of the whole, and is quite significant. An analysis of their work yields arguments for choosing these three authors above others in influencing Croatian political science. All wrote about politics, and discussed political themes - especially the creation and function of the political community, government and authority - within the parameters of a key philosopher of that era: Aristotle. Except for their nationality and ties to the region, the three authors were concerned with actual problems of that era, and were included in political discussions, i.e. the identification of sovereignty and postulates upon which political communities are formed. They reaffirmed Greek principles of creation of the state on a basis of unity of ethics, policy, and other attributes. Through these authors, active in different times of the 16th century, we can see a progression in political philosophy - from a close tie to scholastics to politics as a practical art which adapts to opportunities and conditions.

  • Issue Year: XXXI/1994
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 153-168
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Croatian