EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR | “In Refutation of Machiavelli’s The Prince: Giovanni Botero’s Della Ragion di Stato (Reason of State)”
Presented by Dr. Balbina Y. Hwang
with Additional Commentary by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero

In his iconic work “The Prince,” Niccolò Machiavelli argued that a ruler could not govern morally and also be successful. In fervent response, Giovanni
Botero (c. 1544-1617) – a Savoyard philosopher, priest, poet, and diplomat – offered an eloquent refutation of Machiavelli’s argument in his treatise, “Della Ragion di Stato” (“Reason of State”). Although almost unrecognized today, Botero’s work was a political “bestseller” well into the 17th century, and his ideas greatly influenced the development of modern disciplines in political and social sciences, and even the study of economics. But perhaps his greatest contribution was launching an anti-machiavellian tradition of disputing Machiavelli not just in theory, but in the practice of politics, by proposing a system for the maintenance and expansion of a political state that can retain its moral character. In doing so, Botero made a significant contribution to the major political debate dominating 16th century Italian City-States: the relationship between politics and morality. Most significantly, Botero popularized the term “reason of state,” and was instrumental in establishing the modern concept of the political state-system. This webinar explores the fascinating life and work of this largely forgotten but important political theorist, who flourished during the tumultuous years of post-Renaissance Italy and Europe.

The webinar will include a 45-minute lecture followed by 15-minutes of Q&A.

Please note:

• Your participation is confirmed once you have purchased your ticket. You will receive the Zoom Link to join the presentation circa 30 minutes before the start time.
• VIDEO RECORDING of the webinar will be available for unlimited streaming at your convenience for 7 days after the event.

Dr. Balbina Hwang is Visiting Professor at Georgetown University, where she lectures on International Relations and Security, East Asian Affairs, and the International Political Economy. She is also AdjunctResearch Associate with IHS Markit.

Between 2007-2009, Dr. Hwang was appointed and served as Senior Special Advisor (to Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill, Bureau of East Asian Affairs) at the U.S. State Department. She was also a Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy (Seoul, Korea). Prior to joining the U.S. State Department, (2000-2007) she was the Senior Policy Analyst for Northeast Asia in the Asian Studies Center of The Heritage Foundation.

Dr. Hwang frequently lectures at military and diplomatic missions and their instructional institutions, as well as think tanks and other policy institutes around the world. She also advises global strategic risk managementfirms. Her previous teaching experiences have included: the National Defense University; the BushGraduate School of Government and Public Service (University of Texas A&M, D.C. campus), GeorgeWashington University, and American University. Dr. Hwang has testified before several U.S.Congressional Hearings as an expert witness on Asian affairs, and has contributed to numerousdocumentary series for national and international broadcasts. She is also a lecturer for the SmithsonianAssociates Program in Washington D.C.

Dr. Hwang is a frequent commentator for major international and national media outlets, including: CNN;BBC; PBS Lehrer News Hour; NPR; FOX; NBC; ABC; and CBS among others, and her writtencommentaries have appeared in publications such as: The Wall St. Journal; Washington Post; and NewYork Times, Janes Intelligence Review, and numerous other international media publications.

She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship (for doctoral dissertation field research) in South Korea) in 1998-1999, and has published numerous articles for scholarly journals and book chapters, for which she hasreceived several writing awards. Currently, she is completing two book manuscripts for publication: PlatonicParadox on the Peninsula: Korea’s: Divided Lines; and Tocqueville in Asia: Dilemmas of Democracy andModernization.

She is a member of NCNK (National Committee on North Korea) and Korean Overseas Women’sInternational Network (KOWIN); and was an elected Board Member of U.S. CSCAP (Council for Securityand Cooperation in the Asia Pacific). She has also recently achieved a Certificate in World Art History at theSmithsonian Institution.

A native of (South) Korea, Dr. Hwang earned: an MA and Ph.D. (in Government) from GeorgetownUniversity; an MIA (Masters of International Affairs) from Columbia University; an MBA from the DardenBusiness School at the University of Virginia; and a BA (in Philosophy and Government) from SmithCollege. She also spent one year matriculated at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.