Loyalty in Adversity
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Description
Because the future is fundamentally unpredictable, the struggle to attain and preserve political power is always a voyage into the unknown. Unpredictability is a challenge confronting all rulers, from the usurper prince to the elected republican leader. In Machiavelli’s words, all rulers—whether they observe or disregard conventional moral rules—aspire and cling to power “in good or in adverse fortune”. Unforeseen circumstances regularly make a mockery even of the best laid plans. Prudence is obviously preferable to folly. But dramatic reversals of fortune can and do occur with little regard for the wishes of even the most gifted and wily wielders of power.
Source Publication
Machiavelli on Liberty and Conflict
Source Editors/Authors
David C. Johnston, Nadia Urbinati, Camila Vergara
Publication Date
2017
Recommended Citation
Holmes, Stephen, "Loyalty in Adversity" (2017). Faculty Chapters. 789.
https://gretchen.law.nyu.edu/fac-chapt/789
