Machiavelli and political conspiracies : the struggle for power in the Italian Renaissance / Alessandro Campi ; with three texts by Niccolo Machiavelli ; translated by Christian E. Detmold.

"Part II of the book, except for "Note on the Texts," consists of three texts by Niccolo Machiavelli translated by Christian E. Detmold. This translation is in the public domain."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Machiavelli, theorist of conspiracies -- Luctus Publicus/Salus Publica : bloodbath in Florence -- From Magione to Senigallia : false conspiracy, double conspiracy -- Machiavelli the conspirator? -- Phenomenology and anatomy of conspiracy -- On conspiracies ; Description of the methods adopted by the Duke Valentino when murdering Vitellozzo Vitelli, Oliverotto da Fermo, the Signor Pagolo and the Duke di Gravina Orsini ; The Pazzi and the conspiracy against the Medici / Niccolo Machiavelli.

"The theme of conspiracies plays a key role in Machiavelli's writings, in which can be found considerations and analyses on the use of conspiracy as an instrument of conquest of power, and as a technique for political fighting. This volume denies an interpretation in which Machiavelli limited himself to warning against conspiracies, judging them as a dangerous and useless tool. In reality, he elaborated a real phenomenology or anatomy of the conspiracy. His thoughts on this theme represent a practical manual for the "coup d'etat" and the violent seizure of power. But as always, they also contain brilliant intuitions on political psychology, the sociology of power, and social anthropology"-- Provided by publisher.