Aesthetic Reading of the Ruler

The book offers a commentary on Machiavelli's The Governor, arguably the most famous work of political theory. The interpretation introduces the reader to the main ideas and concepts of Machiavelli's political thought and their historical, ideological and literary context. Machiavelli is portrayed as a representative of an aesthetic political theory that emphasizes the role of sensory perception instead of speech as a prerequisite for the existence of a political community. In addition, the book pays attention to Machiavelli's specific conception of social conflict and his critique of oligarchy. The study is published simultaneously with the new translation of the Vladař.