CONTEMPORARY POLITICS AND MORALITY

Abstract

This paper deals with a relationship of morality and politics though time. Primarily, it indicates their tight alliance during ancient times, when politics sought to virtue, raising character, and did not act technically, but pedagogically. It is considered that Aristotle was the most important representative of this point of view. According to him, the state must aim to achieve the highest good and politics, and as the science of the state, it is the doctrine of the highest good. Politics strives for what is right, fair and useful for society as a whole. The new century brings a different concept of politics and accompanying political practice. Politics becomes a technique of government, and its main goal is to win and maintain power. On that path all means are permitted, even the repressive ones. Thus, politics is separated from morality. The basis of this view is found in the work of Machiavelli.  According to Machiavelli, politics should not be exempted from the norms of conventional (individual) morality. Consequently, politics has its own morality, therefore the second part of the paper deals with the nature and characteristics of the political morality.