Commentary
[in chronological order]
Machiavelli’s Common Good
- Mark Blitz, "Machiavelli's Common Good," Library of Law and Liberty, August 14, 2017.Machiavelli’s Politics is aptly named. Catherine Zuckert’s new book concentrates intently on Niccolo Machiavelli’s judgment about how best to govern political communities in the ordinary sense—places such as Florence and Rome. Her views about what… More
“Machiavelli’s Enterprise” by Harvey Mansfield
- Mansfield, Harvey. "Machiavelli’s Enterprise." The New Criterion 32, no. 2 (October 2013): 4–10.In his essay “Machiavelli’s Enterprise,” published in The New Criterion, Harvey Mansfield examines the profound impact of Niccolò Machiavelli’s works, particularly The Prince and the Discourses on Livy, on the formation of the modern… More
“Machiavelli and the Art of Political Founding”
- Steven Smith. "Machiavelli and the Art of Political Founding." Chap. 7 in Political Philosophy. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.Machiavelli and Us
- Louis Althusser. Machiavelli and Us. Translated by Gregory Elliott. 2nd ed. London: Verso, 2011.The Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli
- John Najemy, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.The Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli, edited by John M. Najemy, is a comprehensive anthology that delves into the multifaceted works and enduring influence of Niccolò Machiavelli, the renowned Renaissance political thinker. This volume assembles sixteen… More
“The ordine nuovo of Machiavelli’s ‘Arte della Guerra’: Reforming Ancient Matter”
- Christopher Lynch. "The ordine nuovo of Machiavelli's 'Arte della Guerra': Reforming Ancient Matter." History of Political Thought 31, no. 3 (2010): 407-25.“‘The Life of Castruccio Castracani’: Machiavelli as Literary Artist, Historian, Teacher and Philosopher”
- Catherine Zuckert. "'The Life of Castruccio Castracani': Machiavelli as Literary Artist, Historian, Teacher and Philosopher." History of Political Thought 31, no. 4 (2010): 577-603.Machiavelli’s Ethics
- Erica Benner. Machiavelli's Ethics. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2009.“Of Conquest: An Interpretation of Chapters 3-5 of Machiavelli’s ‘Prince'”
- Michael Anton. "Of Conquest: An Interpretation of Chapters 3-5 of Machiavelli's 'Prince'." Perspectives on Political Science 38, no. 1 (2009): 33-46.Machiavelli: A Beginner’s Guide
- Cary Nederman. Machiavelli: A Beginner's Guide. Oxford: Oneworld, 2009.Major Works
Florentine Histories
- Machiavelli, Niccolò. Florentine Histories. Translated by Laura F. Banfield and Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1990.Niccolò Machiavelli’s Florentine Histories is a vital work that showcases his skill as both a historian and political thinker, offering a vivid account of the social and political dynamics of Florence from its origins through the late 15th century.… More
The Prince
- Recommended Translation: The Prince, trans. Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998, 2nd ed.) Originally published in 1532.Harvey C. Mansfield Jr.’s translation of Machiavelli’s The Prince (2nd ed., 1998) is widely regarded as a standout version due to its combination of linguistic precision and philosophical depth. Mansfield’s translation remains faithful to the… More
Discourses on Livy
- Recommended Translation: Discourses on Livy, trans. Harvey C. Mansfield, Jr. and Nathan Tarcov. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. Originally published in 1531.The translation of Discourses on Livy by Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. and Nathan Tarcov (1996) is widely praised for its scholarly rigor and ability to faithfully convey the complexity of Machiavelli’s ideas. Mansfield and Tarcov’s deep expertise in political… More
The Life of Castruccio Castracani
- Machiavelli, Niccolò. The Life of Castruccio Castracani. Translated by Andrew Brown. Richmond, UK: Alma Classics, 2019.From the publisher: “Rising from humble beginnings as a foundling, Castruccio Castracani came to prominence as one of the most powerful and shrewd warlords in Italy. Indeed, Machiavelli argues, so great was his vigour and charisma that – had he not… More
Florentine Histories
- Recommended Translation: Florentine Histories, trans. Laura F. Banfield and Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988. Originally published in 1532.Niccolò Machiavelli’s Florentine Histories is a vital work that showcases his skill as both a historian and political thinker, offering a vivid account of the social and political dynamics of Florence from its origins through the late 15th century. This… More
Art of War
- Machiavelli, Niccolò. Art of War. Translated and edited by Christopher Lynch. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.Niccolò Machiavelli’s Art of War is a foundational work on political and military theory, providing insights into the relationship between war, politics, and society. In this dialogue, Machiavelli outlines his vision of a strong, well-organized… More
Multimedia
Machiavelli’s Effectual Truth
- Harvey Mansfield, "Machiavelli as the Founder of Modernity," Conversations with Bill Kristol, October 21, 2021.How was Machiavelli the founder of modernity, both philosophically and politically? Harvey Mansfield discusses in this Conversation.
Conversations with Bill Kristol: Harvey Mansfield on Tocqueville’s Machiavellianism
- Harvey Mansfield (Interview 14), Conversations with Bill Kristol, Released: December 17, 2017.In this Conversation, Harvey Mansfield explains the connection between the thought of Alexis de Tocqueville and Machiavelli.
Harvey Mansfield on Niccolò Machiavelli and the Origins of Modernity
- Conversations with Bill Kristol, Dec. 2015.Harvard Professor Harvey Mansfield explains why we should consider Machiavelli not only the founder of modern politics but also a founder of modern science and economics. What was the character of Machiavelli’s critique of Christian morality? Why did he… More
Machiavelli’s Verità Effetuale
- Harvey Mansfield, "Machiavelli’s Verità Effetuale," University of Dallas, February 7, 2014.Harvey Mansfield of Harvard University discusses Machiavelli’s notion of the “Effectual truth.”
Is Machiavelli a Moralist or a Realist?
- "Is Machiavelli a Moralist or a Realist?" Program on Constitutional Government Panel: Erica Benner (Yale); Michelle Clarke (Dartmouth); Clifford Orwin (Toronto). Harvard University, Cambridge, MA September 20, 2013.In September, 2013, the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard University sponsored a conference on Machiavelli–timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Machiavelli’s Prince. There were four panels in total. Panel 4 features Erica… More
How does Machiavelli Regard Religion?
- "How does Machiavelli Regard Religion?" Program on Constitutional Government Panel: William Connell (Seton Hall); William Kristol (The Weekly Standard); Vickie Sullivan (Tufts); Nathan Tarcov (Chicago) Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, September 20, 2013.In September, 2013, the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard University sponsored a conference on Machiavelli–timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Machiavelli’s Prince. There were four panels in total. Panel 3 features… More
Is Machiavelli a Civic Humanist or figure of the Renaissance?
- "Is Machiavelli a Civic Humanist or figure of the Renaissance?" Program on Constitutional Government Panel: James Hankins (Harvard); John McCormick (Chicago); Eric Nelson (Harvard); Paul Rahe (Hillsdale). Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, September 20, 2013.In September, 2013, the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard University sponsored a conference on Machiavelli–timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Machiavelli’s Prince. There were four panels in total. Panel 2 features James… More
Is Machiavelli a Philosopher?
- "Is Machiavelli a Philosopher?" Program on Constitutional Government Panel, Ioannis Evrigenis (Tufts); Christopher Lynch (Carthage); Harvey Mansfield (Harvard); Waller Newell (Carleton) Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, September 19, 2013.In September, 2013, the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard University sponsored a conference on Machiavelli–timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Machiavelli’s Prince. There were four panels in total. Panel 1 features… More
Machiavelli: The Prince of Paradox
- CBC Radio 1. "Ideas" with Paul Kennedy. "Machiavelli: The Prince of Paradox" Nov. 5, 2013.Canadian Broadcasting Corporation CBC “Ideas” radio program on Machiavelli featuring Harvey C. Mansfield, Clifford Orwin, Michelle Clarke, and Erica Brenner. Comedian Rick Mercer stars as Machiavelli.