Final answer:
Humanism influenced political thinking during the Renaissance by emphasizing individual potential and secular governance, promoting diplomacy and observation, and indirectly shaping governance through its cultural trend.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Renaissance, humanism significantly impacted political thinking by emphasizing the value and potential of individual human beings. Humanists encouraged a shift from medieval scholasticism to the study of humanities, with a focus on grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy—a curriculum designed to create well-rounded, eloquent citizens capable of engaging in the civic life of their communities. The ideals of humanism, rooted in the philosophy of scholars like Francesco Petrarca, promoted achievement and the dignified potential within humanity. This intellectual movement inspired political theories that favored more secular and individualistic views, although not necessarily abandoning Christian values.
In politics, humanism contributed to the development of diplomacy practices and a greater reliance on observation and individual experience. The influence of humanism on political thought was also connected to the rise of influential and wealthy merchant classes in places such as Florence, where a strong emphasis on humanist education impacted both the arts and governance. Despite the more secular aspects of humanism, it developed against a predominantly Christian backdrop, often merging with religious beliefs to foster a political atmosphere that endorsed both spiritual and secular improvement.
The humanistic idea that "Man is the measure of all things," derived from classical Greek philosophy, manifested itself in various aspects of culture and intellectual life during the Renaissance, including politics. Greek statuary, revived by Renaissance artists, was indicative of the renewed focus on human form, dignity, and potential, which resonated in political thinking of the time as well. Humanist ideals were instrumental in shaping the conventions of governance during the Renaissance era.