How to Run a Country

An Ancient Guide for Modern Leaders

Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philip Freeman

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Hardback

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English

Princeton University Pres
02 April 2013

Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500; Social & political philosophy; Political leaders & leadership; Latin

Series: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers

Timeless political wisdom from ancient history's greatest statesman

Marcus Cicero, Rome's greatest statesman and orator, was elected to the Roman Republic's highest office at a time when his beloved country was threatened by power-hungry politicians, dire economic troubles, foreign turmoil, and political parties that refused to work together. Sound familiar? Cicero's letters, speeches, and other writings are filled with timeless wisdom and practical insight about how to solve these and other problems of leadership and politics.

How to Run a Country collects the best of these writings to provide an entertaining, common sense guide for modern leaders and citizens. This brief book, a sequel to How to Win an Election, gathers Cicero's most perceptive thoughts on topics such as leadership, corruption, the balance of power, taxes, war, immigration, and the importance of compromise. These writings have influenced great leaders — including America's Founding Fathers — for two thousand years, and they are just as instructive today as when they were first written.

Organised by topic and featuring lively new translations, the book also includes an introduction, headnotes, a glossary, suggestions for further reading, and an appendix containing the original Latin texts. The result is an enlightening introduction to some of the most enduring political wisdom of all time.

'Cicero's insights are as valid as they were 2,000 years ago and his advice could be beneficially applied perennially by speakers and rulers today.' — Alexander Adams, Alexanderadamsart

'Edited by Philip Freeman, How to Run a Country is a brief introduction to Cicero's political philosophy...

It contains — in English and Latin — fragments from Cicero's books and speeches, as well as letters to friends and colleagues...[Cicero's] views on war and immigration will strike many readers as modern and sane.' — Richard King, Australian

By: Marcus Tullius Cicero
Translated by: Philip Freeman
Imprint: Princeton University Pres
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 178mm, Width: 114mm, Spine: 17mm
Weight: 198g
ISBN: 9780691156576
ISBN 10: 0691156573
Series: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers
Pages: 152
Publication Date: 02 April 2013
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction vii How to Run a Country 1 *Natural Law 1 *Balance of Power 4 *Leadership 6 *Friends and Enemies 16 *Persuasion 24 *Compromise 30 *Money and Power 36 *Immigration 43 *War 46 *Corruption 49 *Tyranny 56 *Cicero's Epilogue: The Fallen State 66 Latin Texts 68 Passages Translated 115 Glossary 121 Further Reading 131

Philip Freeman is the editor and translator of How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians (Princeton) and the author of Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths , Alexander the Great , and Julius Caesar (all Simon & Schuster). He received his PhD from Harvard University and holds the Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Reviews for How to Run a Country: An Ancient Guide for Modern Leaders

Edited by Philip Freeman, How to Run a Country is a brief introduction to Cicero's political philosophy... [I]t contains--in English and Latin--fragments from Cicero's books and speeches, as well as letters to friends and colleagues... [Cicero's] views on war and immigration will strike many readers as modern and sane. -- Richard King Australian [A] delightful little book ... -- John Wilson Christianity Today [Freeman's] book is a collection of tidbits, of course, but if it sends its readers on a journey into Cicero's world it will have achieved Freeman's main purpose: the creation of citizen-readers who are a little bit more thoughtful about politics than they were before. -- Brett Evans Inside Story