Introduction: “The Ends Justify the Means” or “One Must Consider
the Final Result”?
1.Studying and Using History: Charlie Wilson’s War
2.Caress or Annihilate When Taking Power: The Godfather and
Breaking Bad
3.Nip Political Problems in the Bud: Charlie Wilson’s War, Primary
Colors, and A Bronx Tale
4.People Accustomed to Freedom Will Seek It Again: Braveheart and
Red Dawn
5.The Difficulty of Introducing Something New and the Importance of
Being Armed: The Untouchables and Charlie Wilson’s War
6.Bribery and Dirty Work: Lincoln, Richard III, and Wag the Dog
7.The Problems of Being in Charge without Prior Experience: Dave
and Orphan Black
8.The Use of Cruelty: Hoffa, Wag the Dog, and The Untouchables
9.Reliance on the People: All the King’s Men and O Brother, Where
Art Thou?
10.Rally ‘Round the Flag: Wag the Dog, Braveheart, and The
Patriot
11.Power Can Be Exercised in Any Institution: The Da Vinci Code and
The Manchurian Candidate
12.Keep Your Own Army and Prepare It for War: Braveheart, Heat,
Alexander, and Independence Day
13.Vices versus Virtues and Learning Not to Be Good: Scarface, The
Godfather, The Departed, and Richard III
14.Miserliness is Better than Liberality: Ghostbusters and The
Patriot
15.It is Better to Be Feared than Loved: Band of Brothers, A Few
Good Men, and A Bronx Tale
16.Deception: The Godfather, Primary Colors, The Walking Dead, and
Bob Roberts
17.The Lion and the Fox: The Godfather, Breaking Bad, Charlie
Wilson’s War, The Usual Suspects, and Argo
18.Pick a Side and Stick to Your Decisions in Politics: The
Contender, Harry Potter, and House of Cards
19.The Need for Both Military and Popular Support: Lincoln, O
Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Red Dawn
20.Honor Those with Talent and Hold Festivals: Gladiator, The
Hunger Games, and House of Cards
21.Have Only a Few Trusted Advisors and Give them Wealth so they
Remain Loyal: House of Cards, Breaking Bad, The Departed, and Lord
of the Rings
22.Virtue versus Fortune: Election and Mad Men
Conclusions: Seeking Greater Glory
Eric T. Kasper is assistant professor of political science at the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Troy A. Kozma is associate professor of philosophy for the
University of Wisconsin Colleges.
This book argues that the purported Machiavellian dictum 'the end
justifies the means' is misrepresented by his reputation as a
teacher of evil. According to the authors, even though Machiavelli
does counsel the use of force and fraud without regard to ethical
considerations, he does so in the service of the common good. It is
true that political leaders sometimes need to act against the
common good, but this extenuating advice is only meant for
political leaders rather than ordinary citizens. Despite popular
misconceptions about Machiavelli’s advice, the authors find
abundant evidence to support their own interpretation of
Machiavelli in popular television programs and films (almost 40 of
them). The attempt to illustrate how Machiavelli’s thought pervades
everyday lives raises interesting questions about distinguishing
between ordinary human cruelty evident in antiquity and the 'common
good cruelty' suggested by the authors. By considering why
Machiavelli is so unique, readers are given the opportunity to
begin to understand why a book like The Prince has withstood the
test of time and even inspired a few private citizens to act like
political leaders in order to achieve political power. Useful for
faculty who have difficulty making Machiavelli’s scintillating and
intrepid prose more interesting to students. Summing Up:
Recommended. General readers and undergraduates.
*CHOICE*
Machiavelli is one of the most famous philosophers of all time, and
the advice he offers in The Prince is noticeably influential in
politics and in popular culture. Through the lens of this book we
see that we can also learn about Machiavelli through television and
film. The chapters in Machiavelli Goes to the Movies piece together
significant works of popular culture, and insightfully demonstrate
their reflection of Machiavelli's ideas, and what movies and
television can continue to teach us about philosophy.
*Timothy M. Dale, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse*
The devil. Old Nick. Teacher of evil. Murderous Machiavelli. Known
by many infamous names, Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli
remains one of the most intriguing and frequently misunderstood
political thinkers in history. Though it was called ‘poisonous’ by
his contemporaries, Machiavelli’s The Prince, his most influential
work, establishes a prescription for political realism that
continues to frame discussion and policy today. In this book, Eric
Kasper and Troy Kozma reveal why. Through movies like Lincoln,
Harry Potter, The Godfather and The Hunger Games, and television
shows like Breaking Bad, House of Cards and The Walking Dead,
Kasper and Kozma bring The Prince to life and penetrate
Machiavelli’s mystique. In the process, they offer deeper insights
and reflections into Machiavellian thought as intriguing as The
Prince itself. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to
understand not just Machiavelli but power and politics laid bare
through film and television.
*Joseph J. Foy, University of Wisconsin Colleges*
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