How to Choose a Leader: Machiavelli's Advice to Citizens by Maurizio Viroli (Eng

Description: How to Choose a Leader by Maurizio Viroli One of the greatest political advisers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli thought long and hard about how citizens could identify great leaders--ones capable of defending and enhancing the liberty, honor, and prosperity of their countries. Drawing on the full range of the Florentines writings, acclaimed Machiavelli biographer Maurizio Viroli gathers FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description One of the greatest political advisers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli thought long and hard about how citizens could identify great leaders--ones capable of defending and enhancing the liberty, honor, and prosperity of their countries. Drawing on the full range of the Florentines writings, acclaimed Machiavelli biographer Maurizio Viroli gathers and interprets Machiavellis timeless wisdom about choosing leaders. The brief and engaging result is a new kind of Prince--one addressed to citizens rather than rulers and designed to make you a better voter. Demolishing popular misconceptions that Machiavelli is a cynical realist, the book shows that he believes republics cant survive, let alone thrive, without leaders who are virtuous as well as effective. Among much other valuable advice, Machiavelli says that voters should pick leaders who put the common good above narrower interests and who make fighting corruption a priority, and he explains why the best way to recognize true leaders is to carefully examine their past actions and words.On display throughout are the special insights that Machiavelli gained from long, direct knowledge of real political life, the study of history, and reflection on the political thinkers of antiquity. Recognizing the difference between great and mediocre political leaders is difficult but not at all impossible--with Machiavellis help. So do your country a favor. Read this book, then vote like Machiavelli would. Back Cover "Niccol Machiavelli was not only an adviser to princes; he was also, and more importantly, an adviser to citizens. Maurizio Viroli has collected, explained, and elucidated some of the best examples of Machiavellian advice. Be sure to read this book before you go to the polls." --Michael Walzer, Institute for Advanced Study "In this book we see the depth of understanding, the freshness of insight, the vividness of prose, and the convincing power of argument that have made Maurizio Viroli the preeminent critic of Machiavelli of my generation." --Philip Bobbitt, author of The Garments of Court and Palace: Machiavelli and the World That He Made "A pleasure to read, this timely and enlightening book will be of great use to todays voters. Maurizio Viroli, one of the very best interpreters of Machiavelli in the world, presents a wise portrait of Machiavellis work, showing that he wasnt a teacher of evil but rather a great political thinker with much to say about the issues facing citizens today." --Peter Bondanella, editor and translator of The Prince Author Biography Maurizio Viroli is professor emeritus of politics at Princeton University, professor of government at the University of Texas, Austin, and professor of political communication at the University of Italian Switzerland in Lugano. His many books include Niccols Smile: A Biography of Machiavelli (Hill & Wang) and Redeeming "The Prince": The Meaning of Machiavellis Masterpiece (Princeton). Table of Contents Introduction: Why Ask Machiavelli? ix I Citizens ought to "keep their hands on the republic" and "choose the lesser evil." 1 II " Judge by the hands, not by the eyes." 6 III " It is the common good which makes republics great." 12 IV " Whoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times." 17 V " How by the delusions of seeming good the people are often misled to desire their own ruin; and how they are frequently influenced by great hopes and brave promises." 22 VI " Men almost always follow the beaten track of others, and proceed in their actions by imitation." 26 VII " Great men and powerful republics preserve an equal dignity and courage in prosperity and adversity." 33 VIII " And although these men were rare and wonderful, they were nevertheless but men, and the opportunities which they had were far less favorable than the present; nor were their undertakings more just or more easy than this; neither was God more a friend of them than of you." 37 IX " For it is the duty of any good man to teach others that good which the malignity of the times and of fortune has prevented his doing himself; so that amongst the many capable ones whom he has instructed, someone perhaps, more favored by Heaven, may perform it." 42 X " It is very difficult, indeed almost impossible to maintain liberty in a republic that has become corrupt or to establish it there anew." 46 XI " Poverty never was allowed to stand in the way of the achievement of any rank or honor and virtue and merit were sought for under whatever roof they dwelt; it was this system that made riches naturally less desirable." 52 XII " In well-regulated republics the state ought to be rich and the citizens poor." 56 XIII " Prolonged commands brought Rome to servitude." 63 XIV " I love my country more than my soul." 67 XV " For where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no considerations of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, nor of glory or of shame, should be allowed to prevail. But putting all other considerations aside, the only question should be, what course will save the life and liberty of the country?" 73 XVI " The authority of the dictatorship has always proved beneficial to Rome, and never injurious; it is the authority which men usurp, and not that which is given them by the free suffrages of their fellow-citizens, that is dangerous to civil liberty." 80 XVII " I say that I have never practiced war as my profession, because my profession is to govern my subjects and to defend them, and, in order to be able to defend them, to love peace and to know how to make war." 85 XVIII " An excellent general is usually an orator because, unless he knows how to speak to the whole army, he will have difficulty in doing anything good." 89 XIX " A prince becomes esteemed when he shows himself either a true friend or a real enemy." 97 XX " To insure a long existence to religious sects or republics, it is necessary frequently to bring them back to their original principles." 101 Notes 107 Sources of the Quotations 115 Note on the Texts 117 Review "Voters of all persuasions will find much here to confirm their convictions... Machiavelli wanted to make his country great again, but greatness should have nothing to do with vanity or cruelty. Viroli offers a timely reminder of his thought."--Raphael Hogarth, Times Literary Supplement "As Maurizio Viroli makes clear in his short, sharp, and sobering How to Choose a Leader: Machiavellis Advice to Citizens, the GOPs presidential nominee would have horrified the Florentine political thinker--not because he has grasped Machiavellis advice--he hasnt--but because he scorns Machiavellis values."--Robert Zaretsky, Los Angeles Review of Books "A good book for an election year."--Choice Long Description One of the greatest political advisers of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli thought long and hard about how citizens could identify great leaders--ones capable of defending and enhancing the liberty, honor, and prosperity of their countries. Drawing on the full range of the Florentines writings, acclaimed Machiavelli biographer Maurizio Viroli gathers and interprets Machiavellis timeless wisdom about choosing leaders. The brief and engaging result is a new kind of Prince--one addressed to citizens rather than rulers and designed to make you a better voter. Demolishing popular misconceptions that Machiavelli is a cynical realist, the book shows that he believes republics cant survive, let alone thrive, without leaders who are virtuous as well as effective. Among much other valuable advice, Machiavelli says that voters should pick leaders who put the common good above narrower interests and who make fighting corruption a priority, and he explains why the best way to recognize true leaders is to carefully examine their past actions and words.On display throughout are the special insights that Machiavelli gained from long, direct knowledge of real political life, the study of history, and reflection on the political thinkers of antiquity. Recognizing the difference between great and mediocre political leaders is difficult but not at all impossible--with Machiavellis help. So do your country a favor. Read this book, then vote like Machiavelli would. Review Quote "Voters of all persuasions will find much here to confirm their convictions. . . . Viroli offers a timely reminder of [Machiavellis] thought." --Raphael Hogarth, Times Literary Supplement Details ISBN0691170142 Author Maurizio Viroli Publisher Princeton University Press Year 2016 ISBN-10 0691170142 ISBN-13 9780691170145 Format Hardcover Short Title HT CHOOSE A LEADER Language English Media Book Residence NJ, US Imprint Princeton University Press Place of Publication New Jersey Country of Publication United States DEWEY 324.22 Subtitle Machiavellis Advice to Citizens Pages 144 Translated from English Publication Date 2016-04-26 UK Release Date 2016-04-26 NZ Release Date 2016-04-26 US Release Date 2016-04-26 Audience General AU Release Date 2016-07-03 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:128687230;

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