Machiavelli, a Renaissance philosopher, had an ideal image for a ruler as he discusses in his book, The Prince. The perfect prince should institute fear, punish the criminals, and know how to handle the hate. However, the prince must also have the qualities of cleverness, wiseness, and to be manipulative. Joseph Stalin, a ruler of the USSR, is often compared to Machiavelli’s idea of a leader. Stalin used tactics to institute fear, control his population, and control others, just like Machiavelli would agree too. Stalin grew up being treated unfair during his childhood, a part of that lingered with him as he needed his absolute power to makeup for his earlier life, and to get this absolute power he used fear. Stalin’s reign is full of cruelty,
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Machiavelli discusses if it is better to be fear or loved, and while his image is to be both, that is not possible. Stalin follows Machiavelli’s idea in which, “it is much safer to be feared than loved,” (Machiavelli 102). Stalin used different tactics to scare his citizens into following his orders. He had concentration camps to throw people in, even if he did not have a valid reason. He made new laws that allowed to him execute more people, including children under the age of twelve. If all ages of his citizens are scared of him, then he is most likely to have less revolts. Machiavelli discusses how fear scares people out of revolting, because they are aware of the consequences. However, Machiavelli believes that a prince must, “avoid those things which will make him hated,” at all costs (Machiavelli 112). Obviously, Stalin was hated by most, but he dealt with it by getting rid of those who hated him. He had “purges” and hired secret police to kill all the “anti-soviets” or anyone who despised him. He is killing and exiling all of his haters to make sure all the people who he is ruling do not hate him. He ends up killing millions and millions of people but, he is protecting himself from an uprising against him, which …show more content…
Machiavelli discusses how the prince must act like a lion and a fox because, “the lion cannot defend himself against wolves against snare sand the fox cannot defend himself against wolves,” (Machiavelli 107). Stalin has already proved himself that he is a lion with his ruthless ways of instilling fear and killing off millions as mentioned previously. However, he is also a fox the way he manipulates and understands how to play his cards. Stalin was smart to realize that as soon as he got his power, he needed to get rid of his enemies, as Machiavelli agrees with. Once he took power from the Communist Party, “he allied with Trotsky 's personal enemies to crush his rival, and then moved against all who might challenge his ascendancy, including former allies,” (A History of Western Society 903). This was a wise move, as he would no longer have to deal with the threat of Trotsky, or the party anymore. He also knew how to manipulate his citizens propaganda. He had control over what everyone was allowed to read and listen too. He created a nickname for himself called “Uncle Joe” which made him seem like he was the “father of all russians” and he was a caring man (Life in USSR under Stalin). He also forced many artists and writers to glorify him, which made the artists and writers very upset, and some even tried to kill themselves. Stalin
Machiavelli discusses if it is better to be fear or loved, and while his image is to be both, that is not possible. Stalin follows Machiavelli’s idea in which, “it is much safer to be feared than loved,” (Machiavelli 102). Stalin used different tactics to scare his citizens into following his orders. He had concentration camps to throw people in, even if he did not have a valid reason. He made new laws that allowed to him execute more people, including children under the age of twelve. If all ages of his citizens are scared of him, then he is most likely to have less revolts. Machiavelli discusses how fear scares people out of revolting, because they are aware of the consequences. However, Machiavelli believes that a prince must, “avoid those things which will make him hated,” at all costs (Machiavelli 112). Obviously, Stalin was hated by most, but he dealt with it by getting rid of those who hated him. He had “purges” and hired secret police to kill all the “anti-soviets” or anyone who despised him. He is killing and exiling all of his haters to make sure all the people who he is ruling do not hate him. He ends up killing millions and millions of people but, he is protecting himself from an uprising against him, which …show more content…
Machiavelli discusses how the prince must act like a lion and a fox because, “the lion cannot defend himself against wolves against snare sand the fox cannot defend himself against wolves,” (Machiavelli 107). Stalin has already proved himself that he is a lion with his ruthless ways of instilling fear and killing off millions as mentioned previously. However, he is also a fox the way he manipulates and understands how to play his cards. Stalin was smart to realize that as soon as he got his power, he needed to get rid of his enemies, as Machiavelli agrees with. Once he took power from the Communist Party, “he allied with Trotsky 's personal enemies to crush his rival, and then moved against all who might challenge his ascendancy, including former allies,” (A History of Western Society 903). This was a wise move, as he would no longer have to deal with the threat of Trotsky, or the party anymore. He also knew how to manipulate his citizens propaganda. He had control over what everyone was allowed to read and listen too. He created a nickname for himself called “Uncle Joe” which made him seem like he was the “father of all russians” and he was a caring man (Life in USSR under Stalin). He also forced many artists and writers to glorify him, which made the artists and writers very upset, and some even tried to kill themselves. Stalin