Francesco Ingoli (1578-1649) as Political Thinker and Global Theorist

forthcoming

The GlobalIngoli project investigates the significant yet unexplored role of Francesco Ingoli (1578-1649) in early-modern political thought. As General Secretary of the Congregation de Propaganda Fide for 27 years, Ingoli was essential in the Catholic Church's global evangelization. While previous studies have focused on his scientific controversies and bureaucratic role, this study emphasizes Ingoli's political philosophy and its effect on the Church's global vision. The research examines unpublished works such as the 'Istruzioni', and the 'Relazione delle Quattro Parti del Mondo' (ca.1633) to highlight their overlooked theoretical significance. It aims to expose Ingoli's innovative political thought, encompassing evangelization strategies, the intersection of religion and politics, and the gathering of geographical and cultural information. The study will enrich our comprehension of global interactions that influenced 17th-century political philosophy and trace the genealogy of the term 'propaganda.' It will provide insight into key debates in 17th-c Roman milieux, including the Church's unlimited potestas indirecta and novel governing techniques like ‘statistics’ and anthropogeography. By employing an interdisciplinary approach encompassing philosophy, political theory, law, and cultural studies, the research intends to shed fresh light on political thinking during the Counter-Reformation period. This 3-year project, involving the Universities of Venice, NYU and Brussel, will allow Dr Fabris to expand his expertise in early modern political philosophy and intellectual history. With his international experience in Europe and the US, he will deepen his understanding from a global political perspective, acquire new skills, work with top experts, and share his findings with both specialists and a wider audience. MSCA-GF will thus enhance his career prospects and enable him to affirm his expertise in early modern political philosophy and intellectual history.