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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

First Korean Translation of 'Anti-Machiavel' Released, Offering Practical Counterpoint to 'The Prince'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new Korean book introduces the first domestic translation of 'Anti-Machiavel,' a work by Frederick II that critiques Niccolò Machiavelli's 'The Prince.'
  • The book explores how Frederick II's 'Anti-Machiavel' acted as a practical application of Machiavellian principles, focusing on governance after power acquisition.
  • It highlights the contrast between Machiavelli's focus on gaining and maintaining power and Frederick II's attempt to overcome the negative consequences of such power.

A new Korean book offers the first domestic translation of 'Anti-Machiavel,' a significant work by Frederick II of Prussia that challenges Niccolò Machiavelli's influential treatise, 'The Prince.' Titled 'I Oppose The Prince, But...,' the book meticulously dissects and refutes Machiavelli's arguments, drawing heavily on historical and classical references to define good governance.

While Machiavelli's 'The Prince' focuses on the acquisition and maintenance of power, Frederick II's 'Anti-Machiavel' delves into the practical application of these principles by rulers in their actual governance. The book contrasts Machiavelli's assertion that it is safer for a ruler to be feared than loved with Frederick II's view: "No king can have as his sole policy objective to rule by the fear of his people, for in the end, he will only rule over cowards and slaves."

Machiavelli precisely analyzed the nature of power but did not justify the negative side effects arising from its acquisition and maintenance. Frederick II, however, sought to overcome these very consequences. The Korean publication, written by a leading humanities scholar, includes a detailed commentary and covers Machiavelli and 'The Prince,' Frederick II's upbringing, the genesis of 'Anti-Machiavel,' and his territorial expansion wars. This comprehensive approach allows readers to grasp the development and influence of Machiavellian thought from 'The Prince' and 'Anti-Machiavel' to the present day.

No king can have as his sole policy objective to rule by the fear of his people, for in the end, he will only rule over cowards and slaves.

— Frederick IIContrasting Machiavelli's views on fear with his own philosophy of governance in 'Anti-Machiavel.'
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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