The Gray Area with Sean Illing cover image

Machiavelli on how democracies die

The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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Machiavelli: The Man Beyond the Myth

This chapter explores the nuanced character of Machiavelli, portraying him as not just a manipulative political theorist but also a clever satirist and playwright. It emphasizes the duality of his work, contrasting his insights on political power with his critique of ancient philosophers, and argues for a deeper understanding of his contributions to political thought. The discussion sheds light on the misinterpretations of his writings, particularly 'The Prince' and 'The Discourses,' revealing a moral complexity often overlooked in popular perceptions.

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