Machiavelli's Prince - A New Reading (Hardcover)

Why did Machiavelli write the Prince - and why did religious and political authorities find it so threatening? Five hundred years on, this book tries to answer these questions. In the first detailed, chapter-by-chapter reading of the Prince in any language, Erica Benner shows that the book is a masterpiece of ironic writing. Machiavelli's style is deliberately ambiguous: he often seems to say one thing, but gives readers clues that point toward a very different message. Beyond its 'Machiavellian' surface, the Prince has a surprisingly moral purpose. It teaches readers how to recognize hidden dangers in political conduct that merely appears great or praiseworthy - and to mistrust promises of easy solutions to political problems. This highly engaging new interpretation helps readers to see beyond the Prince's deceptive first appearances. Benner sets out Machiavelli's main ironic techniques at the outset, especially his coded use of words to signal praise or blame. Once readers become familiar with these codes, they will find it easier to grasp the Prince's surreptitiously pro-republican message - and its powerful critique of charismatic one-man rule and imperial politics.

General

Imprint:	Oxford UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	November 2013
First published:	2014
Authors:	Erica Benner (Fellow in Ethics and Political Philosophy)
Dimensions:	237 x 162 x 30mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	400
ISBN-13:	978-0-19-965363-8
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political science & theory Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > History of ideas, intellectual history Books > Humanities > History > Theory & methods > General Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy Books > History > Theory & methods > General Books > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy Promotions
LSN:	0-19-965363-1
Barcode:	9780199653638

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