Nietzsche's political thought: Search for greatness according to Greek values

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to prove that Nietzsche's political thought is based on ancient values that were suppressed by "adjustments", since modern politics is based on the delusion of social norms and imposed new ideologies that it is possible to establish universal agreement and justice. Nietzsche strives to restore the ancient understanding of the political, which includes the Greek agon, (competition), the idea of the necessity of class distinctions and the creation of higher types of people who will spiritually guide society and the state. For Nietzsche, the attempts of modern politics to improve human life by modern political means are futile because it is "small politics" that arose from the arrival of the masses on the political scene, slave morality and their demand for great things to satisfy their "need to feel power". The will to power is the foundation of Nietzsche's philosophy of politics and the formulation of political thought anticipated through his concept of "great politics", led by an elite class of philosopher-legislators who will create new values and inspire future generations to transform into good Europeans. Nietzsche's political thought presents various challenges to social contract theory according to critique of collective norms and his celebration of power, creative individuals, and free spirits.

Keywords

• agon
• will to power
• free spirits
• revaluation of values
• "great politics"