Lessons from Machiavelli and Guicciardini for an Unstable World

“The world is in flux. November’s elections in the United States will speed up the pace of change. There is a danger that politicians across the West are positioning themselves to govern a world that will no longer exist by the time they come to power.”

Five hundred years ago, two friends were living through a time of crisis and disillusionment, when old traditions and institutions were being uprooted, and smaller states were falling victim to the ambition of superpowers. One friend came to be much better known than the other: Niccolo Machiavelli, often referred to as the father of modern political philosophy. His lesser-known friend was Francesco Guicciardini. Contained in the writings of both, and the correspondence between them, are lessons for political leaders in our own tumultuous times.

Both were born in Florence, Machiavelli in 1469 and Guicciardini in 1483. Both served the Florentine state and wrote based on their firsthand experience of public service and diplomacy. Machiavelli worked as secretary to the second chancery of the Republic of Florence, after the Medici family who had ruled Florence since 1434 had been disposed and exiled in 1494, when French troops invaded Italy (an event Guicciardini would later see as the turning point of his age). During this time, he served as ambassador to Duke Cesare Borgia, Rome, and France and established a Florentine militia. He distrusted mercenaries, believing them to be unpatriotic and often unreliable when most needed. His militia of soldier-citizens conquered Pisa in 1509.

Guicciardini was ambassador to King Ferdinand of Aragon. He was at the Spanish court when in 1512 the Florentines, under pressure from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, restored Medici rule after Charles’ Hapsburg troops besieged the city. After the return of the Medici, Machiavelli was accused of conspiracy and was imprisoned and tortured. He denied involvement and was released after three weeks. He retired to exile at his farm estate, never to return to the heart of the government of the city-state again.