Machiavelli’s New Modes and Orders
A Study of the Discourses on Livy
9780226503707
Machiavelli’s New Modes and Orders
A Study of the Discourses on Livy
Machiavelli’s New Modes and Orders is the only full-length interpretive study on Machiavelli’s controversial and ambiguous work, Discourses on Livy. These discourses, considered by some to be Machiavelli’s most important work, are thoroughly explained in a chapter-by-chapter commentary by Harvey C. Mansfield, one of the world’s foremost interpreters of this remarkable philosopher.
Mansfield’s aim is to discern Machiavelli’s intention in writing the book: he argues that Machiavelli wanted to introduce new modes and orders in political philosophy in order to make himself the founder of modern politics. Mansfield maintains that Machiavelli deliberately concealed part of his intentions so that only the most perceptive reader could see beneath the surface of the text and understand the whole of his book. Previously out of print, Mansfield’s penetrating study brings to light the hidden thoughts lurking in the details of the Discourses on Livy to inform and challenge its readers at every step along the way.
Mansfield’s aim is to discern Machiavelli’s intention in writing the book: he argues that Machiavelli wanted to introduce new modes and orders in political philosophy in order to make himself the founder of modern politics. Mansfield maintains that Machiavelli deliberately concealed part of his intentions so that only the most perceptive reader could see beneath the surface of the text and understand the whole of his book. Previously out of print, Mansfield’s penetrating study brings to light the hidden thoughts lurking in the details of the Discourses on Livy to inform and challenge its readers at every step along the way.
460 pages | 6 x 9 | © 2001
Philosophy: History and Classic Works
Political Science: Classic Political Thought
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Machiavelli’s Dedicatory Letter
Book I
Introduction
1. The Building of Cities
2. The Ordering of Regimes
3. Founders and Their Reputation
4. The Use of Religion
5. Living under a Prince
6. The Third King
7. The Tyranny of the New Prince
8. A Grateful People
9. The Dictator and the Decemvirate
10. Fear and Glory in the Multitude
11. Conclusion
Book II
Introduction
1. How Rome Acquired Its Empire
2. The Cause of Rome’s Subjection
3. The Beginnings of Modernity
4. The Modern Army
5. False Opinions
6. Reasons or Causes
7. The Passions of Idleness
8. The Captain’s Free Commission
Book III
Introduction
1. The Founder-Captain
2. Virtue and the Multitude
3. Machiavelli’s Strategy
Index
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Machiavelli’s Dedicatory Letter
Book I
Introduction
1. The Building of Cities
2. The Ordering of Regimes
3. Founders and Their Reputation
4. The Use of Religion
5. Living under a Prince
6. The Third King
7. The Tyranny of the New Prince
8. A Grateful People
9. The Dictator and the Decemvirate
10. Fear and Glory in the Multitude
11. Conclusion
Book II
Introduction
1. How Rome Acquired Its Empire
2. The Cause of Rome’s Subjection
3. The Beginnings of Modernity
4. The Modern Army
5. False Opinions
6. Reasons or Causes
7. The Passions of Idleness
8. The Captain’s Free Commission
Book III
Introduction
1. The Founder-Captain
2. Virtue and the Multitude
3. Machiavelli’s Strategy
Index