I recently read Discourses for the first time. Lots of insight packed in there. And I was somewhat surprised to see that Machiavelli is something of an idealist, says the republic is the ideal form, although not always possible. Sense of the tragic, governance in the face of bad options.
One of the great "virtues" of Machiavelli is that he is oriented toward the classics, despite his disagreements with them. Put differently, he cannot be properly viewed through or via the technocratic mentality - he is prior to, and more fundamental. He is free of all gnostic tendencies or false moralisms.
Discourses on Livy is criminally underrated.
We are understanding one another, Dr. Greenwald.
I recently read Discourses for the first time. Lots of insight packed in there. And I was somewhat surprised to see that Machiavelli is something of an idealist, says the republic is the ideal form, although not always possible. Sense of the tragic, governance in the face of bad options.
One of the great "virtues" of Machiavelli is that he is oriented toward the classics, despite his disagreements with them. Put differently, he cannot be properly viewed through or via the technocratic mentality - he is prior to, and more fundamental. He is free of all gnostic tendencies or false moralisms.