September 24, 2014:
Machiavelli & the 20th century
BBC: What is the relationship of 16th Century Florentine theorist Niccolo Machiavelli to the shenanigans of the 20th century? Plenty, but one must probe underneath modern paradoxes and facades. Machiavellianism is not easy to define -- The Oxford English Dictionary says: "A person who practises expediency in preference to morality; an intriguer or schemer. Usually derogatory." The Merriam Webster Dictionary says "marked by cunning, duplicity, or bad faith". The drama of Machiavellian thought involves splendidly devious characters.
“The BBC 1990 television series House
of Cards lead character, Francis Urquhart (known by his initials FU), a fictional
politician created by Michael Dobbs, is without doubt an uber-Machiavellian, gifted in the dark political arts. FU’s quest for power, his
utter ruthlessness and political dexterity make him a classic anti-hero.
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