Reading Machiavelli

Reading Machiavelli PDF

Author: John P. McCormick

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2020-12-15

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 069121154X

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A new reading of Machiavelli’s major works that demonstrates how he has been previously misread To what extent was Niccolò Machiavelli a “Machiavellian”? Was he an amoral adviser of tyranny or a stalwart partisan of liberty? A neutral technician of power politics or a devout Italian patriot? A reviver of pagan virtue or initiator of modern nihilism? Reading Machiavelli answers these questions through original interpretations of Machiavelli’s three major political works—The Prince, Discourses, and Florentine Histories—and demonstrates that a radically democratic populism seeded the Florentine’s scandalous writings. John McCormick challenges the misguided understandings of Machiavelli set forth by prominent thinkers, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau and representatives of the Straussian and Cambridge schools, and he emphasizes the fundamental, often unacknowledged elements of a vibrant Machiavellian politics. Advancing fresh readings of Machiavelli’s work, this book presents a new outlook on how politics should be conceptualized and practiced.

The Prince

The Prince PDF

Author: Niccolo Machiavelli

Publisher: Wyatt North Publishing, LLC

Published: 2020-06-03

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 164798145X

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Written in the 16th century, The Prince remains one of the most influential books on political theory. Its author, Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat and political theorist, and is considered the father of modern political thought.

How To Read Machiavelli

How To Read Machiavelli PDF

Author: Maurizio Viroli

Publisher: Granta Books

Published: 2014-07-03

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 1783781203

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'Men are infamous and detestable who are destroyers of religion, squanderers of kingdoms and republics, and enemies of the virtues.' Niccolo Machiavelli Machiavelli (1459-1527) is one of the most influential modern political thinkers. His works, above all The Prince, The Discourses on Livy, The Florentine Histories and The Art of War, are still passionately discussed and continue to give rise to new visions of political action. Against the trite commonplace that Machiavelli was a teacher of evil who justified political immorality, Maurizio Viroli shows that Machiavaelli was concerned instead with the best way to attain true glory through political action and that his works were inspired by a profound love of republican liberty. Extracts are taken from the whole corpus of Machiavelli's works, including his personal letters.

Machiavelli's Prince

Machiavelli's Prince PDF

Author: Erica Benner

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2013-11

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 0199653631

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This book gives a radical, new, chapter-by-chapter reading of Machiavelli's The Prince, arguing that it is an ironic masterpiece with a moral purpose. It outlines Machiavelli's most important ironic techniques: a normatively coded use of language.

Feminist Interpretations of Niccolò Machiavelli

Feminist Interpretations of Niccolò Machiavelli PDF

Author: Maria J. Falco

Publisher: Penn State University Press

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 423

ISBN-13: 9780271023892

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The contributors to this volume investigate whether or not Machiavelli was a misogynist and a proto-fascist or instead a proto-feminist and a democratic republican. Among these themes they explore the implications of dichotomies as 'Fortuna and virtù', the 'public and the private', 'nature and reason', 'ends and means', 'functionality and the common good', as well as the importance of the military to the socialization of citizens, particularly women, to civic life, and the social construction of gender. Some of the contributors consider the possibility that Machiavelli's approach to ethics provides a special insight that feminists, and women generally, might explore to their benefit.

Reading Political Philosophy

Reading Political Philosophy PDF

Author: Derek Matravers

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-05-01

Total Pages: 432

ISBN-13: 1134692307

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This clear and thorough introduction provides students with the skills necessary to understand the main thinkers, texts and arguments of political philosophy and thought. Each chapter comprises a brief overview of a major political thinker, followed by an introduction to one or more of their most influential works and an introduction to key secondary readings. Key features include: * exercises * reading notes * guides for further reading The book introduces and assesses: Machiavelli's Prince; Hobbes' Leviathan; Locke's Second Treatise on Government; Rousseau's Social Contract; Marx and Engels' German Ideology (Part 1); Mill's On Liberty and The Subjection of Women. Reading Political Philosophy requires no previous knowledge of philosophy or politics and is ideal for newcomers to political philosophy and political thought.

Machiavelli

Machiavelli PDF

Author: Patrick Boucheron

Publisher: Other Press, LLC

Published: 2020-02-11

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 1590519531

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A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time. Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism? It was Machiavelli's luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life—that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today, not why, but for whom Machiavelli wrote. For princes, or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is “the people?” Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty, because the people know best who oppresses them. With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis.

Not Even a God Can Save Us Now

Not Even a God Can Save Us Now PDF

Author: Brian Harding

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780773550506

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The interplay between violence, religion, and politics is a central problem for societies and has attracted the attention of important philosophers, including Martin Heidegger, Jacques Derrida, and Ren Girard. Centuries earlier during the Italian Renaissance, these same problems drew the interest of Niccol Machiavelli. In Not Even a God Can Save Us Now, Brian Harding argues that Machiavelli's work anticipates - and often illuminates - contemporary theories on the place of violence in our lives. While remaining cognizant of the historical and cultural context of Machiavelli's writings, Harding develops Machiavelli's accounts of sacrifice, truth, religion, and violence and places them in conversation with those of more contemporary thinkers. Including in-depth discussions of Machiavelli's works The Prince and Discourses on Livy, as well as his Florentine Histories, The Art of War, and other less widely discussed works, Harding interprets Machiavelli as endorsing sacrificial violence that founds or preserves a state, while censuring other forms of violence. This reading clarifies a number of obscure themes in Machiavelli's writings, and demonstrates how similar themes are at work in the thought of recent phenomenologists. The first book to approach both Machiavellian and contemporary continental thought in this way, Not Even a God Can Save Us Now is a highly original and provocative approach to both the history of philosophy and to contemporary debates about violence, religion, and politics.

Summary of John P. McCormick's Reading Machiavelli

Summary of John P. McCormick's Reading Machiavelli PDF

Author: Everest Media,

Publisher: Everest Media LLC

Published: 2022-05-09T22:59:00Z

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13:

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Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Machiavelli’s use of Borgia is a puzzle for interpreters of The Prince. Those who denounced the scandalous quality of Machiavelli’s book argued that the laudatory presentation of Borgia proved that he cared little for piety, morality, good government, or basic decency. #2 Machiavelli argues that the people are the greatest authority in a state, and he believes that they should be the ones who decide who holds power. He associates himself with Cesare Borgia, who was called Duke Valentino by the people, and with the common people as a class. #3 The people are fascinated by appearances and outcomes, but since in the world abide none but the vulgar, appearances and outcomes may be all that count in the end. While this may be taken as a criticism of the people’s shallowness, it actually affirms their validity. #4 The Italian tradition, represented by Dante, recognizes the Roman Caesars as the heirs of Alexander. The question of whether Cesare Borgia is capable of maintaining and building upon the foundations he inherits from his Alexander is central to The Prince.

Machiavelli's the Prince

Machiavelli's the Prince PDF

Author: Niccolo Machiavelli

Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 1402755031

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Machiavelli's words are as timely today as they were when he first wrote them, more than 500 years ago. One of the most famous philosophical and political tracts ever created, "The Prince" maintains its power, influencing people around the world and in all walks of life. This new highlighted edition makes it even easier to glean knowledge, inspiration, and practical strategies from Machiavelli's masterwork: it features boldfaced phrases throughout that are especially relevant to today's lifestyle. Also, each chapter concludes with a finishing thought and enough room for readers to make their own personal notes and deeper interpretations. An introduction provides details of Machiavelli's eventful life, and examines his work in the context of the time he lived in. With "The Prince "as a guide, anyone can set off on the road to victory.