Brad Lyerla’s Reviews > Thoughts on Machiavelli > Status Update

My reading group is reading this work together, line by line. Evidently, Strauss approved of reading in this fashion. It is revealing. But also VERY SLOW GOING.

In his introduction, Strauss offers this provocative statement: To the extent that the American reality is inseparable from the American aspiration, one cannot understand Americanism without understanding Machiavellianism which is its opposite.

Wow.

Strauss mostly accepts the longstanding view that Machiavelli teaches wickedness. Strauss also states that understanding Machiavelli is important to understanding the United States. They are opposites. US institutions were established to prevent the behaviors that Machiavelli taught.

Looking forward to his arguments in support of those assertions.