Its essential contribution to modern political thought lies in Machiavelli's assertion of the then revolutionary idea that theological and moral imperatives have no place in the political arena. "It must be understood," Machiavelli avers, "that a prince ... cannot observe all of those virtues for which men are reputed good, because it is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state." With just a little imagination, readers can discern parallels between a 16th-century principality and a 20th-century presidency.
(24 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture) Taught by William R. Cook State University of New York at Geneseo Ph.D., Cornell University
Mentioning the name Niccolò Machiavelli can unleash a powerful response, even among people who have never read a word of his writings. Our language even has a word—Machiavellian—that encapsulates the images those responses conjure up: An indistinct figure quietly making his way through the darkest corridors of power, hatching plots to play one rival against another A cold-blooded political liar, ready to justify any duplicity undertaken in the name of a noble end that will ultimately justify the most malignant means
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was born in Florence. He served the Florentine republic as secretary and second chancellor, but was expelled from public life when the Medici family returned to power in 1512. His other works include T"he Discourses, The Art of War," and the comic satire "The Mandrake." Peter Constantine is the recipient of a PEN Translation Prize and a National Translation Award. His Modern Library translations include T"he Essential Writings of Machiavelli, Voltaire's Candide," and Tolstoy's "The Cossacks," He lives in New York City.
Nicholas Marten's former girlfriend is mysteriously killed along with her child and congressman-husband. A former LA cop, Marten learns her husband had just discovered a secret and illegal bioweapons program. When the feds fail to investigate, Marten pursues the killers himself. At a NATO summit in Warsaw, President John Henry Harris meets with Europe's heads of state. When Harris learns secret a White House cabal has ordered the German chancellor's assassination, he angrily objects. The cabal not only threatens to kill Harris, they pull the secret service off his detail.
Added by: gothicca | Karma: 0 | Black Hole | 4 June 2011
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Philosophy: 100 Essential Thinkers
Knowledge and the sudden experience of understanding can be as thrilling as the solution to any puzzle or riddle, since knowledge always resolves a mystery-that of not knowing. Most people are familiar with the names Plato, Machiavelli, Spinoza, and Simone de Beauvoir, but remain unsure of their significance.
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