This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and intellectual historian Quentin Skinner, Barber Beaumont Professor Emeritus of the Humanities at Queen Mary University of London. Quentin Skinner is considered to be one of the founders of the Cambridge School of the history of political thought. This thoughtful, detailed conversation examines how Quentin Skinner came to appreciate the importance of the distinction between the modern view of freedom and the so-called neo-Roman view, together with what it implies for our current and future political understanding.This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Status Symbols, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:I. Paradoxical Origins - Puzzled by MachiavelliII. Presupposing the State - The triumph of the modern liberal viewIII. The Perils of Arbitrary Power - Becoming a slaveIV.Freedom, Applied - Contemporary politics through the lens of arbitrary powerV. Rhetoric - Closely examining another classical Roman ideaVI. Reshaping a Moral World - Recovering important ideasVII. Question and Answer - Resisting the lure of the canonicalAbout Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.