The Machiavellians by James Burnham

"The Machiavellians" is a political theory book that delves into the nature of power and the realities of politics. The author explores the philosophies of Machiavelli, Pareto, Mosca, and other political theorists, arguing that the essence of politics is the struggle for power and that all societies are ruled by an elite minority. The book also offers a critique of traditional democratic theory, emphasizing the importance of realpolitik and the understanding of power dynamics in achieving political success.

The 2629th greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 139

Since this book was first published in 1943, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 139.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.