Ideology and Geography of Foreign Policy of Philip II the Prudent Considering Philosophical and Political Discourse of the Era

Abstract

The means of ideological influence accompanying foreign policy activity of the Monarch of Spain Philip II Habsburg (1527–1598) are analysed by authors in this Article. “The doctrinal climate” and the main concepts of political ideologies of the Golden Age of Spain is investigated the Renaissance Pragmatical Machiavellianism and political Platonism, the Reformation Humanity and Catholic Counter-Reformation, the “Catholic Imperialism” and national political Idea of Spain. The area of the review included separate, most known episodes of foreign policy activity of the King of Spain Philip II and socio-political doctrines of the Spanish Theorists of the XVI century. Major methods of foreign policy of Philip II were not only inquisition, Spanish warfare and dynastical marriages but powerful ideological work and propaganda as well. During the first 20 years of his reign, Philip II sought to maintain peace with European neighbors while the main problem was the activity of the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean. Another important objective was completion of the Italian Wars with France. Main rival of Spanish Empire in both Europe and America was England. Mutual resentment of the monarchs was empowered by difference in religious beliefs, led to a military conflict, which resulted in loss of Spanish naval supremacy and its fleet, “The Spanish Armada”. This was a major strike on Spanish economy and political influence. The article focuses on directions of foreign policy of Spanish emperor and political ideologies alongside them.

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