Machiavelli′s Virtue - Hardcover

Mansfield, Harvey C

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0226503682 ISBN 13: 9780226503684

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 1996

Synopsis

Uniting 30 years of authoritative scholarship by a master of textual detail, "Machiavelli's Virtue" is a comprehensive statement on the founder of modern politics. Harvey C. Mansfield begins by analyzing Machiavelli's radical concept of virtue. Rejecting customary morality, Machiavelli teaches that the prince must set his own terms for politics and morality in the state. Mansfield argues that Machiavelli intended to rule the world through his thought; as a prince without a state, his subjects were the princes who followed his writings on founding and ruling. Mansfield explores the importance of sects in Machiavelli's politics, his endorsement of indirect government, and the ultimately nonrepublican character of his thought. Following the method of Leo Strauss, he takes up Machiavelli's individual works as wholes and shows how his innovations remain disturbingly relevant for modern politics. Interpretation explains the puzzles and reveals the ambition of Machiavelli's thought.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Machiavelli's Virtue is a comprehensive statement on the founder of modern politics. Harvey C. Mansfield begins by analyzing Machiavelli's radical notion of virtue, which culminates in his own personal virtue. Machiavelli shows that princes need a new morality that only he has supplied. Mansfield argues that Machiavelli intended to rule the world through his thought; though a prince without a state, his subjects were the princes who would follow his writings on founding and ruling. This new "perpetual republic" is Machiavelli's own sect - and a remedy for the failures of all previous republics. Mansfield reveals the role of sects in Machiavelli's politics, his advice on how to rule indirectly, and the ultimately partisan character of his project. Following the method of Leo Strauss, he takes up Machiavelli's individual works as wholes and shows him to be the founder of modern institutions that came later, such as the impersonal state and the energetic executive. Mansfield thus makes the case that Machiavelli is alive for us and full of the wisdom we need. His thought cannot be dismissed as quaint and obsolete; it is disturbingly relevant for our delusions and our complacency.

About the Author:

Harvey C. Mansfield is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government at Harvard University.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0226503682
• ISBN 13: 9780226503684
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 388