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James Burnham

The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom Paperback – September 1, 1987

by James Burnham (Author)

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This classic work of political theory and practice offers an account of the modern Machiavellians, a remarkable group who have been influential in Europe and practically unknown in the United States. The book devotes a long section to Machiavelli himself as well as to such modern Machiavellians as Gaetano Mosca, Georges Sorel, Robert Michels and Vilfredo Pareto. Burnham contends that the writings of these men hold the key both to the truth about politics and to the preservation of political liberty.

Print length

305 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Gateway Books
Publication date

September 1, 1987
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0895267853
ISBN-13

978-0895267856
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About the Author

James Burnham (1905-1987) was an American popular political theorist and a noted author, lecturer, editor, and commentator. He was the founding editor of the National Review, founder of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, and director of the Free Europe University. He was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Ingersoll Foundation's award for his contributions to the conservative movement. His books include The Managerial Revolution, The Machiavellians, The Struggle for the World, and many others.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gateway Books (September 1, 1987)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0895267853
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0895267856
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,584,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,474 in Philosophy of Logic & Language

Customer Reviews:
249 ratings

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ikki

James Burnham's classic text

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2019

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It is great to see this release ( in Kindle format ) of James Burnham's classic 1943 text on the small group of Italian political theorists ( Pareto, Mosca, Michels ) influenced by the infamous Florentine referred to in the title. Long out of print, "The Machiavellian's" is ridiculously expensive ( going for three or even four figures in the used market ), so this recently released ( Jan 2019 ) version lowers the financial 'barrier to entry' by quite a bit. Of course, the *intellectual* barrier to entry is a lot steeper ( necessitating the ability to both entertain and sustain a counter-narrative, especially to the all-pervasive myth of democracy ) but anyone even contemplating purchasing this book is likely to meet this criterion as well. Very useful for sharpening analytic insight, via the cold eye of realism, stripping away rhetorical pretensions and revealing the inevitable will to power of an entrenched elite who are the real rulers in the political realm.

54 people found this helpful

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Sylvia J

Handbook of realpolitik

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021

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Makes the case that the Machiavellians he talks about are actually realists about how politics works in the real world. Eye-opening. But the first section is on Dante, who he gives as an anti-Machiavellian example. It was odd to put it first and it doesn’t help his point - which hadn’t been made yet - nor does it act effectively as a a counter example. If you don’t like the beginning keep going. Lots of gems later on. When he talks about conditions that precipitate revolutions, ask yourself where we are now.

13 people found this helpful

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texasavs

Add it to your list, politics junkies

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020

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Absolute must-read for understanding politics. Burnham and his Machiavellian subjects cut through the facade presented as how government works to explain the science behind how it actually does.

10 people found this helpful

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CreativeXianMan

A big, bitter, blood-red pill, but necessary medicine

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2022

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I am giving this book five (5) stars, because I consider it an illuminating exploration of the nature of "political man," one we should all consider. I would suppose that most U.S. citizens have never stopped to seriously contemplate the pragmatic, clear-eyed, sober analysis of politics by Machiavelli or consider the expanded and systematically dissected analysis from Machiavelli's 19th Century counterparts like Mosca and Paredo. I may have have been required to read *The Prince* in my youth, but it was (and likely still is, in public education circles) presented as some sort of evil, amoral, Renaissance realpolitik treatise with little bearing on modern politics. This book redeems Machaivelli's reputation somewhat in that regard.

I do want to bring up, however, what I might consider a problem in Burnam's characterizations of "political science" as a type of "real" science, on par with the "hard" sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, or even psychology. To apply the scientific method as those disciplines typically do, one must, in the process of designing the means by which to test a proposed hypothesis, take great care to establish controls for all extraneous factors other than the one being tested, for the sake of conclusively proving or disproving the hypothesis in question. Given the incalculable number of competing circumstances that govern political history, and the impossible task of controlling for even a small fraction of them, the idea of political science as a proper "science" seems ludicrous to me.

That said, studying the wielding of power in political affairs can yield useful insights, particularly if common threads of Truth (capital T) can be teased out of the great tapestry of history, analyzed, and general principles discovered that might be useful for contemplating present and future political circumstances. In that light, this book is a compelling read. It approaches the threshold of being a "black-pilling" experience, as the pragmatic, unsentimental, and harsh realities presented by the Italian elite theorists almost lead one to despair. It certainly is "red-pilling," in that most of the implications of Burnam's prose bode poorly for his former Marxist brethren, but the vision cast by the likes of Machiavelli, Mosca, and Paredo also stab at the heart of conservative myths as well. I guess I would characterize it as "deep, blood-red-pilling:" the medicine is thick, bitter, and wholly unpleasant. It might, however, be just what the doctor ordered to bring sight to the politically naive and blind.

One person found this helpful

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Garrison Householder

Political truth

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021

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If you want to understand how power and politics actually function in the real world, The Machiavellians should be at the top of your reading list.

4 people found this helpful

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M. Heisler

Cool book, very readable and useful.

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2021

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Nice book if you want to get a zoomed out view about what politics is all about from a non-partisan POV. It blows up the myth of 'democracy' so don't read it if you think 'democracy' is some sacred virtue. He presents the concept of 'Bonapartism' which basically explains how democratically elected officials use the concept of democracy to justify acting like dictators. Once you see it you won't be able to unsee it.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A must read for those interested in modern political philosophy

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021

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A great introduction into the theories and works of Gaetano Mosca & Vilfredo Pareto among others.

5 people found this helpful

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Jimbo the student

Political Study and Analysis

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021

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I looked at this book because the subject of the Machiavellian has always fascinated me. I confess that I found the book to be terribly dated obviously. so much so that I had to review people mentioned in the text such as Mr Wallace and others. But it is an expression of political thought and study and a rare example available.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Chris

Well worth the reading and for the most part enjoyable

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2019

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Though at times showing itself a little dated - some claims about what is "currently underway" we can see haven't come to pass (yet?) - the threats to liberty faced at the time of writing are in principle the same as those of today, & as ever was - & ever will be. True ethical principles (opposed to manners, mores, popular prejudices, &c.) hold across time and while Burnham talks of scientific / historical analysis rather than ethics clearly he wants to avoid thse world drifting into an age of greater abuses.

I went for four stars because there are a couple of chapters I found a little redundant (around two thirds or a little more of the way through).

Would recommend to all

3 people found this helpful

Stephen Pearce

Timeless read for those finding machiavelli a little too dated

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2020

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The wisdom of this book lies in showing that Machiavelli is only treated as a sinister figure by those who’s methods to power he exposes. “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain” as it were say those accusing others of being “Machiavellian”. The ideas and patterns outlined in this book could be read as if they were written about current events such as brexit, trump and the most recent eviction of the uk parliament.

4 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

The Need for Machiavelli

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2022

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Even as I started reading (if I were more honest), I would admit of seeing Machiavelli as an enemy. I was reading, therefore, in order to get the arguments to refute him. After finishing the first chapter I under that this was exactly what our elites wanted me to think. Because they do read him. And like with magical scrolls, the good sorcerer will always want to keep them away from the hands of the many!

Arjen van der Wal

A very good defense

Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2021

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Published by Lume Books with the odd typo (maybe just two or three in all).
A very interesting and lucidly presented book. Useful as a way of looking at politics and society by trying to see the reality of what is being done, and not just what is said to have been done, which Burnham refers to as the difference between the formal meaning and the real meaning, and the value of seeing the difference between the two.
Many political platitudes which are often taken for granted, are without base and it is up to the political scientist to discern the difference – and Burnham takes the scientist part seriously. Serves as an antidote to much so called political thought and platitudes, which are often just repetitions of accepted clichés and catch phrases which are seemingly taken for granted, , and empty of meaning.
It’s a good introduction to the other writers who Burnham considers to be Machiavellians (though they wouldn’t have referred to themselves as such), Sorel, Moscoe, Michels and Pareto.
The section on Pareto unfortunately turns out to be the weakest and least focused (and also the longest), though you might think that given Pareto’s reputation, it should be the most interesting (and parts of it are). Otherwise this book is quite readable, quotable and instructive.
A clear and lucid exposition of Machiavelli’s thought, or maybe more correctly, how Burnham interprets Machiavelli’s thought.
To see reality as it actually is, and not be dissuaded by anything else. This is the insight Burnham takes from Machiavelli. And reality is what will defend freedom, a clear view of how the world actually operates. Reality is the ultimate arbiter of the future, of success or failure. No ideology, no matter how high sounding, can work against reality. Worthwhile just for that insight.

One person found this helpful

Seshu kumar

Thought provoking if not short book

Reviewed in India on July 3, 2020

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This book is an introduction to Machiavellian thought of political science. He goes through about 5-6 such writers from this school of thought and describes their teachings. Machiavellian thought is extremely practical and realistic and this book is an eye opener to someone who has no idea of this field. It is also a short and easy read.

One person found this helpful

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