

Machiavelli
A Very Short Introduction, 2nd Edition
Author: Quentin Skinner
Narrator: Hannibal Hills
Unabridged: 4 hr 16 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Tantor Media
Published: 07/13/2021
Categories: Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Philosophy, Literary Criticism
Synopsis
In the second edition of his Very Short Introduction Skinner includes new material on The Prince, showing how Machiavelli developed his neo-classical political theory, through engaging in continual dialogue with the ancient Roman moralists and historians, especially Cicero and Livy. The aim of political leaders, Machiavelli argues, should be to act virtuously so far as possible, but to stand ready "to be not good" when this course of action is dictated by necessity. Exploring the pivotal concept of princely virtu to be found in classical and Renaissance humanist texts, Skinner brings new light to Machiavelli's philosophy of a willingness to do whatever may be necessary to maintain a position of power.