The Machiavellians

The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom is a bracing and controversial classic of political thought that strips away comforting illusions about democracy and power. Written by James Burnham, the book reinterprets thinkers such as Machiavelli, Pareto, Mosca, and Michels to argue that all societies are ruled by elites—and that freedom survives not through idealism, but through the constant competition among those elites. Burnham’s prose is clear, forceful, and unsentimental, challenging readers to confront how power actually operates rather than how we wish it did. Provocative, intellectually rigorous, and still unsettlingly relevant, The Machiavellians is essential reading for anyone interested in political realism, the limits of democracy, and the hidden mechanics of modern governance.