Mary Dietz, in her essay "Trapping The Prince", writes that Machiavelli's agenda was not to be satirical, as Rousseau had argued, but instead was "offering carefully crafted advice (such as arming the people) designed to undo the ruler if taken seriously and followed."[83] By this account, the aim was to reestablish the republic in Florence. She focuses on three categories in which Machiavelli gives paradoxical advice:
He discourages liberality and favors deceit to guarantee support from the people. Yet Machiavelli is keenly aware of the fact that an earlier pro-republican coup had been thwarted by the people's inaction that itself stemmed from the prince's liberality.
He supports arming the people despite the fact that he knows the Florentines are decidedly pro-democratic and would oppose the prince.
He encourages the prince to live in the city he conquers. This opposes the Medici's habitual policy of living outside the city. It also makes it easier for rebels or a civilian militia to attack and overthrow the prince.
I used to do this with my old girl. I would carry her in my arms around the garden and she would indicate by leaning if she wanted to go towards something.
She used to make me spend ages standing under trees with her. I think in her mind we were stalking birds.
Yes. A lot of the Trump stuff is building on existing violations of international law that started with Bush II and were continued by each subsequent administration.
George Washington could finally get some implants or dentures and stop stealing the teeth from slaves.