Reading Machiavelli: Scandalous Books, Suspect Engagements, and the Virtue of Populist Politics

Niccolò Machiavelli's major works have been misread, according to John McCormick's Reading Machiavelli. He argues that Machiavelli was a radical democrat who advocated for a vibrant Machiavellian politics. This book presents a new outlook on how politics should be conceptualized and practiced.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 15 December 2020
\n Publisher: Princeton University Press
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Niccolò Machiavelli, a renowned Italian philosopher and political thinker, has been the subject of much debate and interpretation throughout history. His works, such as "The Prince," "Discourses," and "Florentine Histories," have been widely read and studied, but their meanings and implications have often been misunderstood. In his book "Reading Machiavelli," John McCormick aims to challenge these misguided understandings and present a fresh perspective on Machiavelli's political thought.

McCormick begins by examining Machiavelli's life and background, exploring the social and political context in which he lived and wrote. He argues that Machiavelli was not a "Machiavellian" in the sense of being an amoral adviser of tyranny or a stalwart partisan of liberty. Instead, he was a nuanced thinker who recognized the complexities of political power and the need to navigate the treacherous waters of the political arena.

McCormick's book offers original interpretations of Machiavelli's three major political works, "The Prince," "Discourses," and "Florentine Histories." He demonstrates that these works are not as simplistic as they have often been portrayed and that they contain profound insights into the nature of politics and the role of the individual in society.

One of the key themes of McCormick's book is the idea of a "radically democratic populism." He argues that Machiavelli's writings were not only influenced by his political philosophy but also by his deep commitment to democracy and his belief in the power of the people. McCormick emphasizes that Machiavelli's vision of politics was not limited to the state or the government but also included the broader social and cultural context in which politics operates.

McCormick also challenges the misguided understandings of Machiavelli set forth by prominent thinkers, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau and representatives of the Straussian and Cambridge schools. He argues that these thinkers misinterpreted Machiavelli's writings and that they failed to recognize the fundamental elements of a vibrant Machiavellian politics.

One of the key insights of McCormick's book is that Machiavelli's political thought was not limited to the realm of power and politics. He also had a profound interest in human nature, morality, and the nature of virtue. McCormick argues that Machiavelli's writings contain valuable insights into the human condition and the challenges that individuals face in navigating the complex social and political world.

In conclusion, "Reading Machiavelli" is a valuable contribution to the study of Niccolò Machiavelli and his political thought. John McCormick's book offers fresh interpretations of Machiavelli's three major works and challenges the misguided understandings that have been prevalent in the scholarly community. By emphasizing the fundamental elements of a vibrant Machiavellian politics and by exploring the broader social and cultural context in which Machiavelli's writings operate, McCormick provides a new outlook on how politics should be conceptualized and practiced. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Machiavelli, political philosophy, and the challenges of navigating the complex world of contemporary politics.

\n Weight: 382g\n
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780691211541\n \n