
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
A voice of this school
Niccolò Machiavelli
Explained political leadership, institutions, strategy, conflict, and power without comforting moral illusions.
School of thought · Culture & Strategy
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It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
A voice of this school
Explained political leadership, institutions, strategy, conflict, and power without comforting moral illusions.
Across time
Ordered by the first year in each thinker’s dates; undated thinkers come last.
Classical
Renaissance
Voices
2 thinkers

Legalist thinker of law, power, incentives, and statecraft.

Explained political leadership, institutions, strategy, conflict, and power without comforting moral illusions.
Ideas in motion
The purpose of education has long been contested, with different thinkers advocating varying priorities. In this debate, Jyotirao Phule, Neil Postman, and Linda Tuhiwai Smith examine whether education should focus…
In an era where global conflicts challenge traditional notions of state sovereignty, the question arises: does the principle of sovereignty obstruct the path to global justice? This debate brings together…
The question of whether military intervention can ever truly secure lasting peace has long been a contentious issue. In this debate, Judah Magnes, a proponent of pacifism and dialogue, Jane…
In an era where traditional education systems are increasingly scrutinized, the question of whether homeschooling presents a viable alternative gains prominence. This debate brings together the distinct perspectives of philosopher…
The reading room
1 essay
The Nature of Power: An Exploration of Virtù and Fortuna In the realm of political philosophy, few concepts are as compelling yet complex as the nature…
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