Learning to Love Machiavelli: Don MacDonald at TEDxBoston

Summary

This video script delves into the misunderstood legacy of Niccolò Machiavelli, challenging the popular view of him as a malevolent figure. It emphasizes his belief in the superiority of republics over principalities and his loyalty to the Florentine government. The creator's graphic novel aims to correct the historical inaccuracies and portray Machiavelli as a statesman and philosopher, not a schemer. The narrative follows Machiavelli's life, from his public service to his writing of 'The Prince,' highlighting his wisdom and the irony of his banishment leading to literary success.

Takeaways

• 📚 The term 'Machiavellian' is often misunderstood, originating from Niccolò Machiavelli's work 'The Prince', where he suggests it's safer to be feared than loved if one cannot achieve both.
• 🏰 Machiavelli's true beliefs favored the Republic system, as he believed collective wisdom of citizens led to better decisions and stability over time.
• 🎨 The speaker has created a graphic novel to challenge the popular, negative caricature of Machiavelli and to present a more accurate historical perspective.
• 🖋️ Despite being known for political cunning, Machiavelli was not adept at advancing his own career or navigating the politics of his time, leading to his downfall.
• 🏛️ Machiavelli remained loyal to the Florentine Republic even when it was overthrown, choosing not to betray it for personal gain.
• 🖌️ The creator of the graphic novel uses traditional art mediums like dip pens and watercolor paper, embracing a low-tech approach in an era dominated by digital art.
• 🌐 To distribute the artwork, the artist leverages high-tech methods such as scanning, uploading, and promoting on social media platforms.
• 📖 The graphic novel is based on historical accounts and Machiavelli's writings, aiming to depict him as a decent man, friend, colleague, father, and husband.
• 🔍 The speaker aims to correct the historical inaccuracy that Machiavelli was an evil man by showing his loyalty, philosophical depth, and the irony of his banishment leading to his literary success.
• 🌟 Machiavelli's work is significant because it provides a realistic view of rulership, advising leaders to be realistic and not overly cautious, as fortune favors the bold.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about Machiavelli?

The common misconception is that Machiavelli is a figure of malevolence and cunning, often associated with immoral politicians who believe the ends justify the means, particularly due to his infamous line from 'The Prince' that it is better to be feared than loved.

What does Machiavelli actually say about being feared versus being loved?

Machiavelli suggests in 'The Prince' that it is better to be feared than loved if one cannot be both, but the ideal leader is one who is both feared and loved.

What is the main message Machiavelli conveys about the stability of a regime?

Machiavelli emphasizes that the worst thing for any regime is to be hated, as a hated regime will naturally have the most enemies looking to exploit its weaknesses.

Why did the author choose to create a graphic novel about Machiavelli?

The author wanted to challenge the caricature of Machiavelli as a moral monster and show that he was more of a statesman and philosopher than a schemer, correcting the historical inaccuracies and injustices in his portrayal.

What was Machiavelli's political belief regarding republics?

Machiavelli believed that republics were better at adapting to change and were more stable over the long run because of the diversity of opinions and backgrounds of the citizens.

How did Machiavelli's personal life experiences influence his writings?

Machiavelli's banishment and loss of political position likely influenced his writings, as he wrote 'The Prince' and other political treatises after being unable to work in government.

What is the significance of Machiavelli's loyalty to the Republic of Florence?

Machiavelli's loyalty to the Republic of Florence, even in the face of potential betrayal for personal gain, demonstrates his principles and the contrast between his personal life and his portrayal as a schemer.

What artistic medium did the author use for the graphic novel, and why?

The author used dip pens, watercolor paper, and inks, preferring old school materials to create an art style that evoked Machiavelli's time while being suited to the modern age of electronic comics.

How does the author utilize modern technology to distribute the traditionally crafted artwork?

The author draws on paper, scans the artwork, uploads it to the web, and uses social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to publicize the graphic novel.

What is the narrative structure of the author's graphic novel about Machiavelli?

The graphic novel begins with Machiavelli entering public service for Florence and ends around the time he starts writing 'The Prince', using invented dialogue based on period accounts and actual writings of Machiavelli.

What is the main message the author wants to convey about Machiavelli's character?

The author aims to show Machiavelli as a decent man, a friend, colleague, father, and husband, to move beyond the stereotype of him as an evil figure and to highlight his loyalty and philosophical contributions.