...“The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli is a widely known political piece written in the 16th century, known for its controversial instruction on how a prince should rule. In the excerpt, containing Chapters XV – XVIII, Machiavelli details what qualities a prince should aspire to possess, how generous a prince should be, how cruel a prince should be, and how one must balance honor and deceit. In the first chapter of the reading, Machiavelli discusses what sort of man a prince should aim to become. A prince, like every man, will desire to be perfect, to possess every good trait known to man and to have no flaws. While idealistic, this is not possible. Instead, a prince must strive to adopt as many good characteristics as he can, while avoiding those that would eventually cause him to lose his kingdom. Even certain wrongdoing should not be avoided, as sometimes this wrongdoing is critical in keeping what is yours....
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...Although Machiavelli’s writing, The Prince, may be directly aimed at describing the things a prince needs to do, it is also in a way describing the way that all humans should conduct themselves. The book may be influencing the princes, or it may be shaping the morals of those looking to gain power. If the normal men who are looking to gain power follow some of the guidelines that are laid out inside The Prince, they will have a better chance than those who continue to live life just as they have. Machiavelli paints a picture of a man, specifically a prince that is willing to do what is necessary to help the cause, even if it does not make them the most popular choice. In human nature, the question is often asked if one should have good character...
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...A sovereign can have motivated followers and an advantageous mindset and still be disassembled by the public. In the words of Niccolò Machiavelli in his book The Prince, “A leader doesn’t have to possess all the virtuous qualities I’ve mentioned, but it’s absolutely imperative that he seems to possess them … It’s seeming to be virtuous that helps” (Machiavelli 95). People distrust those who seem immoral because they have been taught from a young age that they’re capable of committing horrible acts. Ironically this can lead to a leader being turned on by the very people who were originally on their side. Someone who is immoral is more likely to stab people in the back and therefore cannot be trusted. Consequently, leaders risk losing their positions if they display bad morals. Otherwise, they could...
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...In Niccolo Machiavelli book The Prince he discusses and talks about many topics and problem that arise ruling an empire, throughout the book we see him look at other kings, emperors and Prince over time bring to light their flaws and also their good works as rulers of their people, and showing us how some worked if enforced, other worked naturally and some didn’t work at all. A few of the main themes in the book that Machiavelli points out are Political power, Warcraft, and the people. Political power, throughout the entirety of the book, Machiavelli shows us many different styles and strategies on how to control and expanded political power. The political man must know how and when to be dishonest and to be honest, looking for what the people wanted and what they needed, and seeing which one worked out better and which one was easier. Making sure you were friends with the right people, people that could keep them in power, help them in War times and to expand the empire and to protect it, but if it didn’t work out you destroy it before it’s...
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...In his novel The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli renders an analysis, almost a guidance, on the science of political power; How to acquire and maintain it. Throughout the book, Machiavelli depicts his ideologies of human nature and morality through his descriptions of different principalities, and different armies that those of which each have certain ways of being handled. His writing expresses a rather negative yet realistic view of humanity. He believes that as a ruler, it is better to be feared than loved. He believes that man prioritize himself and his benefit before that of others. Separation of political conduct and personal morality is an essential part of ruling successfully. A prince may choose between following a liberal or illiberal path, but must be aware of the responsibilities and consequences that will come in to presence with each....
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...THE SUPERIOR FORM OF GOVERNANCE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE VIEWS OF NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI AND LAO TZU Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science College of Arts and Sciences San Sebastian College- Recoletos, Manila August 2013 Vincent Roland R. Managuelod Ray Joshua B. Valdez INTRODUCTION In Politics there are many schools of thought that form the basis for the policies used in the operation of the government. These schools of thought vary greatly in purpose and belief, with many of these schools actively opposing one another. Ultimately, whatever beliefs these schools of thought may hold, and whatever actions these beliefs may lead them and the state their purpose is to shape the state into what they believe is ideal and beneficial for all. Of the many ideologies which are followed by statesmen, varied they may be, the ultimate goal is to create a society according to their ideals. In this study we will be discussing two thinkers whose schools of thought have had a significant impact on political philosophy today. The first is Niccolo Machiavelli. A philosopher, politician, diplomat and historian whose works have made his name a by-word for pragmatism and ruthlessness not just in politics but in everyday life. His most famous work, the Prince, advocated the separation of personal morals to that of one’s political morals, and the emphasis not on ideology but on what would be the most beneficial...
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...Neil Adams Professor Cara Chang Humanities 300 07 September 2012 Exploring The Major Themes of Machiavelli's "The Prince" To find out what motivated Machiavelli to write “The Prince”, it is necessary to look at the Italy that he lived in at the time and where he gained his insights into governance. He grew up in a time where Popes had their own armies and went to war with Italian city-states in hopes of gaining more territory. Power held by the rulers was tumultuous at best; people and cities might fall at any time. The Popes weren’t the only forces that major cities such as Venice and Florence had to deal with. Foreign countries such as France, Spain, the Catholic Church, and Switzerland also were engaged in battles for control and influence in the region. Most of these major cities relied heavily upon mercenaries to help fight their battles. These Condottieri, or mercenary leaders, were very fickle and changed sides without warning which made political and military alliances very weak, which in turn made Italy as a whole weak ("Niccolò Machiavelli"). Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, was a founder of modern political science who lived in Florence during the Renaissance period. He was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy. Niccolò was the first son and third child of attorney, Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, and his wife, Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli. At a young age became a pupil of a renowned Latin teacher, Paolo da Ronciglione, where he was taught history...
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...IR 3034: The Political theory of Peace and War. [pic] FIRST ESSAY: « For Machiavelli, the art of war is the supreme test of any polity, whether principality or republic ». Discuss Introduction: Quentin Skinner once argued that even if “Machiavelli died nearly 500 years ago, (…) his name lives on as a byword for cunning, duplicity, and the exercise of bad faith in political affairs”1. Indeed, there is no denying that Machiavelli stands probably as one of the most controversial thinker in the history of political theory. In fact, Skinner even argued that “the charge of being a Machiavellian remains a serious accusation in the political debate”2. As his biographers tell us, Machiavelli came from an Italian family which had been relatively important in the political life of Florence for a long time before his birth, in 1469. At 29 years old, he became second chancellor of the republic, without previous experience, a charge he will keep for more than fourteen years till the return of the Medici’s family. This experience as top official of the Florentine Republic had obviously a huge impact on the development of both his later life, characterized by a succession of disgraces and stroked of bad luck, and his thought. Indeed, as Maurizio Viroli asserts, “Machiavelli considered himself to be an expert on a special art which we call statecraft and he called “arte dello stato”3. There is no denying that, if we look at most of his writings, we will realize...
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...Machiavelli Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, Niccolò Machiavelli was a diplomat for 14 years in Italy's Florentine Republic during the Medici family's exile. When the Medici family came back to power in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed and briefly imprisoned. Machiavelli as an individual has been described as aloof, as standing to one side of life ‘with a sarcastic expression continually playing around his mouth and winking from his eyes’. This report is based on Machiavelli’s most famous work, The Prince, which was written in 1513-14. While The Prince was not the foremost book of this kind, it was the first to propose a government that dominates with no respect for religious belief or morality. Machiavelli did not particularly pay heed to religious law in the manner he lived his life, but he likewise did not particularly care for the Catholic Church of the time because of the lack of ethics demonstrated by the Pope's and other supposedly "religious men's" actions at the time. The Prince, a handbook for politicians on the employment of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term "Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory."(History.com) There are many types of leaderships that after being present over the centuries. Leadership styles have developed over time, with a prominent shift from the autocratic and directive leadership in the twentieth century to a more participative and democratic style of the younger generation...
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...Nicolo Machiavelli Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy.He eventually became a man who lived his life for politics and patriotism. He wrote a pamphlet called The Prince to gain influence with the ruling Medici family in Florence. The political genius of Niccolo Machiavelli was overshadowed by the reputation that was unfairly given to him because of a misunderstanding of his views on politics (Niccolli Machiavelli 1). Machiavelli's life was very interesting. He lived a nondescript childhood in Florence, and his main political experience in his youth was watching Savanarola from afar. Soon after Savanarola was executed, Machiavelli entered the Florentine government as a secretary. His position quickly rose, however, and was soon engaging in diplomatic missions (Nicolo Machiavelli 1). He met many of the important politicians of the day, such as the Pope and the King of France, but none had more impact on him than a prince of the Papal States, Cesare Borgia. Borgia was a cunning, cruel man, very much like the one portrayed in The Prince. Machiavelli did not truly like Borgia's policies, but he thought that with a ruler like Borgia the Florentines could unite Italy, which was Machiavelli's goal throughout his life. Unfortunately for Machiavelli, he was dismissed from office when the Medici came to rule Florence and the Republic was overthrown (Niccolli Machiavelli 1). The lack of a job forced him to switch to writing about politics instead...
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...Bryce Leveroos World Civ 12/8/2014 Machiavelli, Luther, Loyola: Three Names within an Era of Reformation Niccolo Machiavelli, Martin Luther, and Ignatius of Loyola were three contemporaries of the early sixteenth century, all of which had recognized a theological-political crisis in their age. In 1546 Catholicism was under siege by a new and troublesome adversary葉he Reformation. In one fell swoop, the Christian World was cleft in twain. Ignatius and Martin Luther had both been active in the Protestant Reformation, while Martin Luther had been a driving force for the Protestant Reformation, Ignatius on the other hand was the founder of the Illuminati and Jesuit Order which led the Counter-Reformation. The Jesuit Order was to become the most vile, bloody and persecuting order in the Roman Catholic church. This order was an elaborate spy system, so that no one in the order was safe. If there was any opposition, death was imminent and swift. Martin Luther had dedicated himself to the Augustinian order, devoting himself to fasting, long hours in prayer, pilgrimage, and frequent confession. In 1507 he was ordained to the priesthood, and in 1508 he was sent to teach Theology at the newly founded University of Wittenberg, later being called to the position of Doctor in Bible. Martin Luther had started the Reformation with a copy of his Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences�?which came to be known as The Ninety-Five Theses. He had also...
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...Niccolò Machiavelli was a keen political observer and a student of roman history. He lamented Italy’s disunity in the face of continuous rivalry among the city-states. The threat of foreign invasion become a reality in 1494, when French armies marched into Italy, thus initiating a series of wars that left Italy divided and impoverished exiled from Florence upon the collapse of the republican government he had served from 1498 to 1512 and eager to win favor with the Medici now that they had returned to power Machiavelli penned the prince a political treatise that called for the unification of Italy under a powerful and courageous leader. In the prince, Machiavelli argued that the need for a strong state justified strong rules. He pictured the secular prince as one who was schooled in war and in the lessons of history. The ruler must trust no one, least of all mercenary soldier. He must imitate the lion in his fierceness, but he must also act like a fox to outsmart his enemies. Finally, in the interest of the state, he must be ruthless and if necessary, he must sacrifice moral virtue. Between the years of 1503 and 1506, Machiavelli was responsible for the Florentine militia, including the City's defense. However, in August 1512 the Medici, helped by Pope Julius II, used Spanish troops to defeat the Florentines at Prato. After his involvement in an unsuccessful attempt to organize a Florentine militia against the return of the Medici family to power in 1512 became known, Machiavelli...
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...John Locke made the most influence on the world compared to Machiavelli. Machiavelli and John Locke both had about the same effect on the world even though they were different ideas. Niccolo Machiavelli had amazing ideas and taking power and politics. Even though Niccolo wrote his book in the 14th century his ideas are used all the time in todays day. Many rulers and politicians use his book as a guide on how to rule. Niccolo wrote the prince because he wanted to show people how ruling shouldn’t be. John Locke did the “Two Treatises of Civil Government”, an essay concerning human understanding, and “The Social Contract.” The “Two Treatises of Civil Government” are essays that showed the ideas of personal government, and democratic nations. The essays laid out a basic outline for our governments today. An essay concerning human understanding laid out a lot of ideas about the country. It talked about how “every man is his equal.”(Locke) “The Social Contract” talked about have an equal relationship between government and the people....
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...Science Niccolo Machiavelli Niccolo Machiavelli was born from a prominent family in Florence, Italy on May 3, 1469. He had received a typical education, learning Latin in his early life while he neither excelled in banking and trade. During Machiavelli’s early life, Florence was effectively controlled by the Medici family. The Medici’s were rich and powerful, they owned banks, which were the reason as to why Florence excelled in bank and trade areas. But the Medici family fell from power and was replaced by Girolamo Savonarola. On year 1502, Machiavelli was assigned as an envoy in Rome. He met Cesare Borgia, an infamous papal prince and despot in which it had been stated that the Pope may have influenced Machiavelli’s views on political philosophy. Sadly, Machiavelli witnessed the events leading up to Borgia’s murder. Florence was in conflict with the Pope and his Spanish allies, who sent armies to Florence to remove the Soderini government. In 1512, the Medici family returned to Florence, and the people soon demanded that they be put back in power. Soderini was exiled. Machiavelli, as a supporter of the Soderini government was removed from his office by the new regime, fined, and forbidden to be in any Florentine territory. After Machiavelli’s exile in Florence, he started writing his most famous work “The Prince”. “The Prince” is a detailed observations of his about human behavior, leadership, and foreign policy. Machiavelli described the qualities of a “Prince”. A “Prince”...
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...leader? According to Niccolo Machiavelli, he must “read histories and in them study the deeds of great men” (41). This phrase comes from Machiavelli’s “Qualities of the Prince,” a section from the book “A World of Ideas.” Niccolo Machiavelli was a very critical writer who lived from the year 1469 to 1527. One of his most famous works, The Prince, is still highly controversial today. This is mainly due to its cynical nature and disputed methods for successful leadership (Jacobus, 38). While Machiavelli describes an intelligent approach to a position of authority, there is an exception to everything. I agree with Machiavelli’s theory that following another ruler’s advice will improve your own leadership skills. After all, children learn by example, so why can’t a manager do the same?...
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