David Bosarge
Dr. Ben Long
November 20, 2011
Western Civilization
At first glance Machiavelli’s writings could be mistaken for evil, but in reality there are many good underlying points as to how to rule a nation with an iron fist. Machiavelli taught government as it is in fact, as opposed to, government as it should be. If there was a guide for modern politics and foreign policy The Prince would be the handbook. Even though it was written in 1513 it is as applicable today as it was in the age of such Renaissance tyrants as Cesare Borgia. Machiavelli’s book The Prince focuses on one major desire that every man wants Power. In this book Machiavelli enlightens his prince Lorenzo of Florence Italy how to get power and how to keep it because power is everything and without power one is nothing. Machiavelli’s historical examples are chosen to show that the most successful tyrants are frequently men of mediocre ability, who focus on power and are utterly ruthless in its pursuit. Hitler capitalized on Machiavelli’s examples. According to Machiavelli, in order to successfully govern a state one must be ready to deal with difficulties, keep friendships, and take over free states. In governing (a principality, however there are difficulties 18) difficulties such as rebellions are brought about by (the willingness of men to change one lord for another, believing thus to improve their lot 18.) But by (taking arms against their ruler 18) to try to over throw the rule, it all ends up (worsening their lot 18) because the same type of ruler is entitled to power. Machiavelli teaches that a prince should be like a (fox and a lion; for a lion is defenseless against snares, and a fox is defenseless against wolves. Hence a prince ought to be a fox in recognizing snares and a lion in driving off wolves 68) in order to become a good ruler Machiavelli thinks a prince should know when difficulties are about to take place inside a state and crushes them. When the Holy Roman Empire extended its power into Greece it was able to avoid such difficulties because they were sought out in advanced. Machiavelli states that difficulties are like “hectic fever: in the beginning the disease is easy to cure but hard to diagnose; having gone unrecognized and unmedicated, it becomes easy to diagnose but hard to cure 22.” If difficulties go unrecognized “they are allowed to increase until everyone may recognize them 22” like the roman empire foresaw difficulties one must deal with them before they get out of hand in order to keep peace in the state.
Another example that Machiavelli believed was that in order to preserve ones influence one must have close friendships. When King Louis first got in power in Italy he was strong but when he traded his friends for the church he became weak. By casting away his powerful friends “he did not realize that taking this step he was making himself weak by casting off his friends and those who had leaped to his protection 23” and this left the king with many difficulties. Machiavelli illustrates several key points in what it takes to be a "successful" Prince. In chapters 5-10, Machiavelli is giving us a true image of the coldhearted reputation he has carried throughout the years. He explains his ideas on taking over a "free" state or republic and how to conquer and rule with the people’s loyalty and respect. Machiavelli argues in chapter 5 that “there are three ways of keeping a free state 28” One should “first destroy it 28” By destroying the city, Machiavelli believes that the citizens will have no choice but to follow the direction of the new prince.” The second is to go live there in person 28” Machiavelli believed that if one goes and lives in a free state that he just destroyed the people will obey in fear of being persecuted. Lastly Machiavelli’s argues that the ruler should “let it continue to live under its own laws, taking tribute from it, and setting up a government composed of few men who will keep it
The Prince Timothy Gipson Alexandria Jenks Kimberly Weatherston Denae Humphreys Table of Contents 1. About Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli 2. Summary of The Prince 3. Summary of the environment in The Prince 4. Analysis of the Story About Machiavelli Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born the second sonon May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy to a lawyer, Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli and Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli. His family was believed to be related to the old marquesses of…
The Prince By Niccolo Machiavelli After digesting the material on the reading, it was very easy to determine that this work emphasizes on the ethical guidelines a noble and admirable prince should fallow. Machiavelli depicts diverse circumstances, that at the time being were very likely to have taken place any given day, at any given time, and he also provides a very unique way for a prince to react. He talks about how to acquire the loyalty of those that are under the domain of a ruler…
XVIII: The Way in Which Princes Should Keep Faith In order to keep his people's loyalty, the Prince must have more than one dimension in his image. There is a line to distinguish what part of a Prince’s life should be publicized and what is better kept unhidden. A ruler’s image is as important as action due to human nature and rulers must manipulate these expectations. According to Machiavelli, “Men are so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always…
The argument that "The Prince" is an immoral treatise on how to satisfy one's endless ambition is legitimate and to view Machiavelli's work as such is useful and necessary. Despite this, labeling "The Prince" as solely immoral is misguided, regardless of that argument's credibility. In order to understand "The Prince", one must consider the context. Peaceful diplomacy was almost non-existent; the nature of the world at the time, and in a sense politics, was inherently violent. Creating some sort…
Haþim Cihan Demirköprülü, 20303433 Essay Question: Compare the Characteristics of the true guardians, as described by Plato (Republic, bk VII, pp.158 – 61, 484b – 487e) with the characteristics of the rulers, as described by Machiavelli (The Prince, ch.15, pp. 47 – 49 and ch. 18, pp.54f). What is the most important difference between the two accounts? In your view, which account is better, and why? For centuries, every ruler created their own principles and rules and somehow…
Sunstein Pol 308 April 5, 2015 Machiavelli A prince should do whatever is necessary for the country to survive. If this means being ruthless, feared, having a strong military, he supports it. If an issue arises a Prince should not be afraid to take the required action to solve the problem. He should do this without making the nation despise him. Machiavelli believes that convenience and success should come before morals and principles. Machiavelli thinks for a Prince to be in complete control they…
21 March 2013 Renaissance & Reformation Rough Draft Machiavelli Then and Now Niccolo Machiavelli was born into a family of Florentine nobility on the third of May in 1469. This was during a time that Italy was divided into four rival city states. Despite being of Florentine nobility, there is little recording of his youth1. Machiavelli served as diplomat during the 14 years the Medici family was not in control of Florence2. Niccolo Machiavelli was a philosopher, statesmen and political theorist in…
Luke Pelagio Due 5/27/2011 Period 4 Machiavelli: Realism Over Idealism Nicolo Machiavelli is known as being an archetypical realist; in other words, he was someone who originated the idea that we should not try to figure out how people should be, but rather accept and deal with the world as it literally is. Unlike Machiavelli, Plato posited an idealist view of a philosopher king reigning through virtue. To Machiavelli, this is an extremely dangerous delusion for it ignores what he considers…
TA Corinne Knight 12/06/13 About Applications of Machiavelli Project Company: Coca-Cola Company There are many ideas people can learn from history’s great thinkers and achievers. The Renaissance Era had the fastest progress in history. During this era, many thinkers and achievers such as Niccolo Machiavelli, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo introduced new ideas and new forms of art. Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian politician and diplomat. The reason his theories are…
“The Perfect Prince" I. Selection Machiavelli: The Prince. Translated and edited by Quentin Skinner & Russell Price. Takes place from 1469-1532. II. Synopsis The Prince was written by Niccolò Machiavelli, who lived in Italy at a time where there was much political conflict and turmoil. Many city-states fought for Italy’s control, along with outside countries like Spain, France, and Rome. Machiavelli lived in Florence, which was a city-state in Italy looking to come into control of the country…