The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom

This classic work of political theory and practice offers an account of the modern Machiavellians, a remarkable group who have been influential inEuropeand practically unknown in theUnited 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.