A lecture by Fabrizio Ricciardelli
Niccolò Machiavelli, often regarded as a forerunner of modern political thought, showed a striking ability to identify patterns of power and government that still resonate today. In The Prince, he did more than analyze the methods of successful rulers: he exposed the tensions, compromises, and moral uncertainties that define political leadership. His reflections on necessity, the management of appearances, and the interplay between fear and consent reveal a penetrating understanding of both human nature and political life. For this reason, Machiavelli has often been read as a guide for those navigating the instability and severity of political power. His vision reached beyond the immediate crises of his own age, anticipating the recurring conflicts and ethical dilemmas that confront rulers in every era. In this sense, Machiavelli appears almost prophetic, illuminating enduring truths about political strategy that have continued to shape the thinking of statesmen, scholars, and readers across the centuries.
Prof. Fabrizio Ricciardelli is the Director of Kent State University Florence.
If you are in Florence and would like to attend the lecture in person at the British Institute Library, please register here or send an email to bif@britishinstitute.it
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This lecture is sponsored by Robert Morales