The Strategy of Machiavelli

'A wise prince publishes videos on time and doesn't let his scripts run to 3000+ words' - Machiavelli (?)

This video takes Machiavelli's political writings (The Art of War, the Prince etc.) and interprets them through the lens of state strategy during the Italian Wars. Here, Machiavelli is seen not as an abstract theorist but as an experienced ex-diplomat aware that republicanism was failing to meet the challenges posed by monarchy. From this emerges a dualistic strategy of a) disruption and power advancement, and b) order and power maintenance. A successful prince learns to do both, and more importantly, learns when to switch between them.

Note that this is one interpretation based off of my grasp of strategic thinking, historical context and consulted sources. Machiavelli is not easy to interpret and 'The Prince' in particular can be self-contradicting. I do not claim to be an academic authority on Machiavelli.

All errors are my own.

SOURCES:
Machiavelli N. 'The Essential Writings of Machiavelli' (Peter Constantine trans.)
- 'The Prince'
- 'How Duke Valentino Killed the Generals Who Conspired Against Him', 'Discourse on Pisa', 'Pistoian Matters', 'On How to Treat the Populace of Valdichiana After Their Rebellion'
- Miscellaneous Letters
Machiavelli N. 'The Art of War'

Gutenberg translations of Machiavelli:
- 'Discourses on Livy'
- 'Florentine Histories'

Benner E. 'Machiavelli's Prince: A New Reading' (M as satirist)

Mallet M, Shaw C. 'The Italian Wars 1494-1559'

Congress/Bismarckian Systems
Mitchell A. 'The Grand Strategy of the Habsburg Empire'
Craig G; Alexander G. 'Balance of Power, 1815-1914: Three Experiments'

Modern Strategy:
USA, 'National Security Strategy 2017'
USA, 'Summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy'
Sandler T, George J. 'Military Expenditure Trends for 1960–2014 and What They Reveal' in Global Policy 7:2
World Bank Open Data
SIPRI Military Expenditure Database

ATTRIBUTIONS:
Wikipedia for basic fact lookups and maps.
Google Maps for maps

Made using Powerpoint 2013, WavePad and VideoPad.

Видео The Strategy of Machiavelli канала Strategy Stuff