Much before we were told to mind chronology, or that it’s about ‘winning via any means’, there was Niccolo Machiavelli. Now, there are plenty of podcasts about treatises and self-help manuals. But hosted by Jawad Shomali and Salim Kassam, ‘It’s Not a Book Club Podcast’ ventures into the realms of such publications, dissecting their themes and ideas.
In this 1 hr 11 min episode, the hosts delve into one of the most renowned political treatises, Machiavelli’s The Prince. This 16th c. classic instruction manual for young aristocrats and royals is rightly seen as the cornerstone of modern political philosophy. Set in the European Renaissance, it advocates, among other niceties, the use of fear – ‘if respect and love fail’ – as a means of control, while outlining key qualities of an effective leader: virtue and prudence.
Shomali and Kassam discuss the intricate web of power dynamics Machiavelli shares in pursuit and preservation of power. If you need to go deep into what’s going on this election season, treat this podcast as the real commentary.
