Fine intro to an authentic science of politics

The "Machiavellian" writers Burnham discusses span a rather diverse spectrum of views. What they have in common is an objective, scientific approach to politics that avoids allowing wishful thinking, or ideas about what ought to be, to impede their discernment of the way things actually are.

I disagreed with Burnham's tendency to dismiss religious ideas as inherently irrationalist. Also, his attempt at clarification in response to Machiavelli's reputation ignores the fact that Machiavelli did, after all, offer some amoral advice, not just non-moral analysis. While some of Burnhams predictions proved correct only in the short run, his method contains within itself the the capacity for self-correction, which is part of the whole point of the book.

This book remains invaluable for all who seek to develop a scientific understanding of politics, regardless of their philosophical persuasion.

14 people found this helpful

Serious political science

The narration could drone, but the content was excellent. Many sections worth re-listening to and bookmarking. Filled with political myth busting and strategies and structures for preserving liberty in the real world.

4 people found this helpful

My expectations were too high obviously

I took this book for face value on just the title of it alone. My first thoughts, and expectations was that this should be interesting, I'm aware of Niccolo Machiavelli, and his book, "The Prince", and I'm really familiar with the personality trait of "Machiavellianism". It's 1 of 3 personality traits which is part of the "Dark Triad", the other two are narcissism and psychopathy. Now I will say that I wasn't expecting this book to be geared towards the area of psychology or anything to do with the other two traits that have to do with the Dark Triad, not at all. I was expecting it to be purely history and political, and hoping at the same time to hear about like the title of the book states, "The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom". I was expecting to hear in depth both personally at times and politically about individuals both of the past of course and maybe some at the present time. Methodologies and occurrences of what all took place at times during these Machiavellians' lifetimes. Wow! this book had none of this in detail, not even close to it. At times it was just playing in the background and the narrator was rambling on about God know what, it seemed that many a times he went beyond the subject of Machiavellianism. Don't ask to where because I have no clue. There were a few individuals that he had brought up but nothing at all in detail when it came to Machiavellianism. You will hear words such as Elite(s), Alite(s), Democracy, a free democratic democracy, residue 1 and residue 2 (don't even ask me what he was referring to then, no clue at all), now, did he go into details in regards to Machiavellianism with any of this stuff, absolutely not, NO. In the beginning he did cover over a little about Niccolo Machiavelli and his book, "The Prince" but in detail, NO, not at all. He mentioned him in a few other places at times, he also discussed Dante's Inferno. If your expecting to hear an in depth story of people who were considered to be like the title of the book states, "The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom", forget it. You won't even skim any surface whatsoever. Most of the time it sounded like someone with a head full of knowledge of stuff to do with politics, but nothing to do really with the politics of the past or the present. I wouldn't say that I was bored with it, I was just waiting and hoping to hear a more in depth look into certain individuals of the past that had to with the personality trait of Machiavellianism, NOPE, NATTA! Now, could I have sat down and over time physically have read this book, absolutely not, no way, NOOOOO. I wouldn't have even gotten close to the middle of it, would I listen to it again, why would I, because to me it didn't have really anything to do with what the title mentions. You could ask, "Well then what did it have to do with then?!" Beats the heck outta me, I was hanging on for it to go a different direction, but it never did. If you want to know anything of what the title says, go and look for it yourself, definitely not here though. A part of me wants to say it was a boring listen, but maybe its just because the whole time I was thinking, "This guy has got to go a different direction with this than whatever he's talking about right now", but he didn't. I was anticipating and hanging on for a more detailed accounts of people and Machiavellianism, but it never came. Bottom Line: It was all a pointless waste of time. Did I learn anything new at all, NO, not one single thing. If you want to know ANYTHING about who or what about Machiavellianism, DO NOT, go here, you won't find it.

*Posted on "goodreads"

2 people found this helpful

Vry Insightful

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

1 person found this helpful

Fantastic and Brilliant

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.

Everyone interested in Liberty and society should read this

Excellent Book on the Machiavellians by James Burnham on a number of different political thinkers from the last several centuries or so and their discussions on the body politic, society and its leaders and elites. Should be mandatory reading for anybody studying political science or sociology.

Antiquated, esoteric, overly academic.

Hated it; definitely struggled to finish.

You're a better man than I if you can pay attention and learn something from this book.

For me, the presentation was not contemporary and simply outdated and outmoded.

Good luck.

Reprint this book!

Excellent read, answers many horny political questions. It is very much worth the time. Would recommend

Absolute Classic.

Burnham is essential political reading. The Machiavellians is a timeless classic for the science of politics.

hmmmm

I was pleasantly surprised at the history of Machiavelli himself, and enjoyed that part.