Machiavelli and Political Conspiracies: The Struggle for Power in the Italian Renaissance

The theme of conspiracy is central to Machiavellis writing. His work offers observations and analysis of conspiracy as part of the armoury of the Renaissance politician. Surprisingly, the theme has not yet received the attention it merits. This volume corrects an interpretation which reduces Machiavellis position to one of censorious observer of conspiracies. Quite to the contrary, as Campi demonstrates, Machiavelli developed an anatomy of conspiracy and provided a practical manual for coup détat" and violent seizure of power.