The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom - Classic Text | Alexandria
The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom, a 1943 work by James Burnham, is not merely a study of Niccolo Machiavelli. It is a provocative reinterpretation of political theory, arguing that the pursuit of power, often viewed as inherently corrupt, is in fact the engine of liberty. Burnham, drawing inspiration from Machiavelli and other "realist" thinkers like Gaetano Mosca, Vilfredo Pareto, and Georges Sorel, challenges idealistic notions of democracy, suggesting that all societies are ruled by a small elite, and the most effective check on tyranny lies not in abstract ideals, but in the competition among these elites. This counterintuitive thesis asks us to reconsider whether virtue and freedom are always found where we expect them.
Machiavelli's The Prince, first circulated in manuscript form around 1513 and published posthumously in 1532, laid the groundwork. In a tumultuous Italy fraught with warring city-states and ruthless power struggles, Machiavelli abandoned moralizing, advocating practical strategies for acquiring and maintaining power, regardless of ethical considerations. The era marked a departure from medieval scholasticism, mirroring a world in which traditional authorities were crumbling, secrets were whispered in darkened corners of palaces, and the destiny of nations hinged on the ruthless acumen of individuals.
Burnham's reinterpretation, however, moves beyond mere amoral pragmatism. He posits that freedom depends on the struggle for power, not its absence. The clash between competing elites, each vying for control, paradoxically prevents any single faction from attaining absolute dominance. The book gained traction during the Second World War, offering a cynical, yet perhaps realistic, perspective on the nature of political power at a time when ideals were being tested on the bloody battlefields of Europe. Its legacy extends into modern political science, influencing the study of elite theory and power dynamics. Today, in an era of increasing polarization and anxieties surrounding concentrated power, Burnham’s chilling analysis continues to resonate. Did he merely offer a grim diagnosis, or a blueprint for a more nuanced, and perhaps strategically cynical, defense of freedom?