'A marvellous window into both the world of Renaissance diplomacy and the origins of thought about the international system.' Christopher Hill, University of Cambridge A remarkable collection of debates on foreign policy from the works of Guicciardini This book brings together 11 pairs of opposing speeches on foreign policy written by Florentine statesman and historian Francesco Guicciardini (1483-1540), many of which have never been rendered into English before. As a whole, they constitute a remarkable collection of debates on war, peace, alliance and the like that have continued relevance in contemporary international politics. Incisive and elegant, the debates perform an analytical function that goes well beyond the rhetorical canons of humanist historiography and contains an early formulation of concepts such as the balance of power and the security dilemma. As such, this book highlights the importance of Guicciardini's work for the evolution of international theory and explains why he, like Machiavelli, should be considered one of the leading figures of Realism applied to modern international politics. Marco Cesa is Professor of International Relations at the University of Bologna. [Please note change to credit line] Cover image: The Peace of Bologna, with Pope Clement VII and Emperor Charles V, 1529. By Marco Vecellio (c) akg-images/Cameraphoto Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com [please note new web address] ISBN 978-1-4744-1504-0 Barcode

Introduction; 1. On Whether or Not the Florentines Should Wage War against the Church; 2. On Whether or Not the Florentines Should Accept the Peace Agreement That the Duke of Milan Is Offering; 3. On Whether or Not the Florentines Should Launch a War of Aggression against Lucca; 4. On Whether or Not the King of France Should Make Peace with the Duke of Milan; 5. On Whether or Not the Venetians Should Sign an Offensive Alliance with the King of France; 6. On Whether the Venetians Should Ally with the King of the Romans or Stick to the Alliance with the King of France; 7. On Whether the Venetians Should Ally with the Emperor or Stick to the Alliance with the King of France; 8. On Whether the Emperor Should Be Magnanimous towards the King of France, Whom He Holds Prisoner, or Impose Severe Terms on Him; 9. On Whether or Not the Venetians Should Make an Agreement with the Emperor or Risk War against Him; 10. On Whether the Pope Should Make an Agreement with the Emperor or Wage War against Him; 11. On Whether the Emperor Should Make an Agreement with the Italian States or the King of France; Index.