For his insistence on the amoral character of successful government, Machiavelli remains a contentious figure. Often reviled as a teacher of evil, Machiavelli's influence on the modern state is explored in this book.

In On Machiavelli, Alan Ryan illuminates the political and philosophical complexities of the godfather of realpolitik. Often outraging popular opinion, Machiavelli eschewed the world as it ought to be in favour of a forthright appraisal of the one that is. Thought by some to be the founder of Italian nationalism, regarded by others to be a reviver of the Roman Republic, Machiavelli has suffered from being taken out of context. Placing him squareley in his own time, this essential, comprehensive and accessible guide to Machiavelli's life and works includes a new introduction by Ryan.

About the Author
Alan Ryan, after decades at Princeton University, was warden of New College, University of Oxford, where he was a professor of political theory. He is the author of John Dewey and the High Tide of American Liberalism and Bertrand Russell: A Political Life, among other works.

Reviews
"A brief and pithy summary of the contributions of Niccolo Machiavelli... a teaching resource as well as a concise and readable introduction to its subject." "Alan Ryan captures Machiavelli's hold on the modern moral imagination... We are still drawn to Machiavelli because we sense how impatient he was with the equivalent flummery in his own day, and how determined he was to confront a problem that preoccupies us too: when and how much ruthlessness is necessary in the world of politics." -- Michael Ignatieff



Book Information
ISBN 9781631490583
Author Alan Ryan
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Liveright Publishing Corporation
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 118g
Dimensions(mm) 185mm * 117mm * 15mm