The Machiavellians Audiobook By James Burnham cover art

The Machiavellians

Defenders of Freedom

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The Machiavellians

By: James Burnham
Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach
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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.©1943 James Burnham (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Political Science Politics & Government Philosophy Capitalism Liberalism Socialism Taxation
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Critic reviews

"Burnham is the greatest political analyst of our century and this is his best book." ( National Review, 100 Best Non-Fiction Books of the Century)
Timeless Political Wisdom • Scientific Political Analysis • Excellent Narration • Valuable Political Insights

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An honest and realistic investigation of political science. Well narrated. A must read for all serious political philosophy students.

Vry Insightful

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any thinking person who has interests in the trajectory of society and in politics must listen and contemplate.

must listen

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The political realism in this book is perhaps unmatched by any other modern work. As a Burkean Conservative, the only part of this work that I disagree with is the dishonesty believed to be a requirement for political power. Dishonesty is only required for a populous which lack virtue, and for an individual who believes that believe in tradition is by definition false or unscientific. That being said, the degree to which the collective myths of society must be advertised or dumbed down to the masses in democratic society in effect makes them necessarily false.

However, microstates which are honest but govern based on political realism do exist ( see Singapore ). Just a small criticism towards an otherwise brilliant work. And I'm not even sure that I'm right.

Fantastic and Brilliant

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Burnham’s walk through this series of philosophers is a good way for a beginner to reconceptualize their belief system from something ideological into something real.

First Principles

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Either skip the introduction, or listen to it with the understanding that Sidney's own biases distort his understanding of Machiavelli and Burnham

introduction is a big miss

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