The people's princes : Machiavelli, leadership, and liberty / John P. McCormick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McCormick, John P., 1966- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Machiavelli, Niccolò, 1469-1527--Political and social views.

Machiavelli, Niccolò.

Machiavelli, Niccolò, 1469-1527--Criticism and interpretation.

Democracy--Early works to 1800.

Democracy.

Political leadership--Early works to 1800.

Political leadership.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xix, 279 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

Machiavelli, leadership, and liberty

Place of Publication:

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2025.

Summary:

This book explores Niccolò Machiavelli's political ideas, focusing on his nuanced understanding of leadership and democracy. Challenging the traditional view of Machiavelli as a proponent of tyrannical rule, author John P. McCormick highlights how Machiavelli advocated for democratic principles and civic liberty. Through analysis of historical examples and Machiavelli's writings, such as 'The Prince' and 'Discourses,' the book examines the interplay between civic leadership and popular government, emphasizing the importance of prudent and principled leaders in fostering democratic societies. Intended for scholars and readers interested in political theory, the work provides a fresh perspective on Machiavelli's relevance to contemporary democratic practices. Generated by AI.

Contents:

Prologue

Preface: Machiavelli's reconciling of leadership and democracy - Part 1: Salutary tyranny in the prince and discourses. Agathocles as princely exemplum (Agathocles, Hiero, Cesare Borgia, Liverotto da Fermo, Nabis the Spartan) ; Greek tyrants and Roman reformers (Cleomenes, Clearchus, the Gracchi, Scipio Africanus, Julius Caesar) - Part 2: Civic leadership in the prince and discourses. Severe and prudent civic magistrates : the consul, the dictator, and the gonfalonier "for life" (Lucius Brutus, Furius Camillus, and Piero Soderini) ; Rome's most prudent captain and Florence's unarmed prophets : envy, exile, and willingly leaving office (Camillus, Moses, Soderini, and Savonarola) ; Civic corruption, capital trials, and the assembled people (Marcus Menenius and Piero Soderini) ; Opening the people's eyes (at least partially) : civic versus princely leadership (Pacuvius Calanus and Cesare Borgia) - Part 3: Imprudent leadership in the Florentine histories. Faulty foundings and failed reformers : the civic ills of goodness, patriotism, and concord (Giano della Bella, Corso Donati, and Michele di Lando) ; Failed tyrants : bad men who know not how to appear good (Appius Claudius, Walter Brienne, and Septimius Severus)

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Part of the metadata in this record was created by AI, based on the text of the resource.

ISBN:

0-226-84236-3

9780226842363

OCLC:

1528483747