Machiavelli to Marx : Modern Western Political Thought

by Dante L. Germino

According to conventional periodization, a profound break in the continuity of Western political theory occurred around 1500 and marked the beginning of "modern" political thought. In Machiavelli to Marx Dante Germino examines the scholars of this period whose works he feels have made significant new approaches to the critical understanding of our world and, consequently, to the problems of our time. Beginning with Machiavelli, the author covers major political philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Burke and gives lucid, perceptive accounts of what they thought and taught about politics. He discusses utilitarianism, liberalism, scientism, and messianic nationalism through the writings of such influential thinkers as Bentham, Spencer, Saint-Simon, and Fichte and concludes with three of the foremost political philosophers of the nineteenth century—Fourier, Proudhon, and Marx.

Genres: Philosophy, History

416 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1979

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Germino was recommended by a prof. I found this text very instructive and helpful in learning about the major political thinkers (of the Occident), while being more than a mere chronological survey. Germino has a clear - and interesting - project, without interfering in his analyses. What makes Germino unique is that he does not compartmentalize thinkers, nor does he reduce them to mere biography. He looks at multifaceted thinkers in a much more total and coherent manner. He does not see Locke (among other thinkers) as an empiricist and political thinker - as if they were two isolated parts - but as part of a greater whole. It’s almost amazing - once you notice it - how often historians of philosophy do this uncoupling, in turn obfuscating the subject of their work. I liked this book.

[James Wareham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy was a genius. He was the best lecturer I had at the University of Amsterdam. May he rest in peace. Best quote "We are all part of a universal community of human beings."

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you look at the dates on my reading time of this book, you will see that it took years. This is not a reflection of the quality or interest! I used this book as a companion as I worked my way through the political theory texts I had collected over the years. For each new author, I read the appropriate section from Germino, providing me with a good platform to dive deeper into the author's work. Having exhausted my collection, I have completed the book.

Germino has a gift for summarizing and cutting to the heart of a given philosophy, while presenting it in a faithful and honest way. He does not (thankfully) completely remove himself from the subject matter, allowing himself to voice an opinion. Yet, his commentary is thoughtful, insightful, and most of all, respectful; even as he dives into philosophies that completely contrast each-other. Germino is able to find nuggets of truth and value within each thinker he explores, even within our current word.

This book should be seen as the ultimate entry point to political theory. I had the privilege of a wise professor who used it as required reading , but of course I at the time did very little of that requirement, choosing to only read the primary sources assigned. I am very glad I still purchase the book and returned to it!