Cesare Beccaria

What does it mean to be Machiavellian? This could be defined in a number of ways but to begin I will start out with a simple definition. According to the Oxford English dictionary Machiavellian is defined as: Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or in advancing one’s career. Another site (dictionary.com) defines it as being or acting in accordance with the principles of government analyzed in Machiavelli 's “The Prince”, in which political expediency is placed above…

At the time of writing 'Julius Caesar, ' Shakespeare would have known of the reputation of 'The Prince ' and the idea of the immoral 'Machiavel ', the mythical figure who would stop at nothing to gain his ends. This and his admiration of Cesare Borgia, a name associated with betrayal and murder, led to the general dislike of Machiavelli. The character in 'Julius Caesar ' who best represents this characterisation is Mark Antony, Caesar 's right hand man. In Acts II and III, following Caesar…

In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli’s understanding of virtue and effective rule emphasizes the maintenance of political power and the disregard for morality, differing from the ideology of the classic political philosophers. Machiavelli’s concept of virtue is centered around the glorification of a ruler, facilitated by behavioural traits such as bravery, cleverness, deceptiveness, and ruthlessness. Effective rule requires these attributes, as the successful application of these characteristics…

“since if men are not of great intelligence and virtue, it is not reasonable that they should know how to command…” (24). Machiavelli then gives an example of a ruler who came to power through virtue and fortune, rather than experience and skill. Cesare Borgia “acquired the state through the luck of his father,” but since he was not equip to rule, he was unable to maintain control of his state. Machiavelli would therefore warn Trump that although his…

What role would an oppressive ruler take in a society where loyalty is fundamental? An analysis of Creon, a king with an iron-fisted rule in Sophocles’ Antigone, reveals how he not only helps develop the plot but also affects other characters through his dialogue and decisions. By using Creon, Sophocles writes about pride as a catalyst for downfall, conflict in the midst of oppression, and the aspects of human law. In Antigone, Creon’s main functions are portrayed through his contributions to…

Opposing Visions of a Leader and the Ways in Which a Political System Should be Run In times of war, violence, political upheaval, and uncertainty, revolutionary thinkers often emerge to question how rulers can be effective, and what responsibilities they have to the people they rule. Socrates, who fought in the Peloponnesian war and lived during the thirty Tyrants period questioned authority. He challenged societal norms; and tried to change the values of the public. Machiavelli, lived…

▪ Summary of the main ideas Machiavelli started his book by glorifying the Prince Lorenzo De Medici that he is writing for, he wanted to present him the most valuable thing he owned; his accumulated knowledge and experiences from his long years working in their contemporary affairs and his continual studying to history before his exile. The book is concerned of how to establish a despotic regime? how to consolidate and maintain this regime after establishment? ▪ In the First part, the Author…

Throughout history, there has been an enormous amount of leadership figures—both good and bad. One of the most famous is Martin Luther King Jr.--the leader of the African-American civil rights movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent disobedience. Although there have been a significant amount of honest leaders who care for the well being of his/her people, there never ceases to be an evil commander who is self-absorbent, selfish, and corrupt.…

In Machiavelli’s The Prince, Machiavelli is viewed as a callous and resourceful leader who emphasizes the pursuit of power and longevity, even if it advocates the use of violence preceding one’s own morals. This power-violence-morality trifecta illustrates the importance of balance in a leader’s pallet of desired qualities, while ultimately highlighting the impact a successful leader can have on a secular society. However, Machiavelli’s viewpoint of leadership expands beyond power, violence, and…

In the book The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli discussed how certain characteristics were needed in order to make a leader successful. It has been argued that these same characteristics could be use to describe any successful leader in modern society no matter the population or the field in which they are working in. I agree with Machiavelli, the characteristics that he discussed are all needed in order to become a great leader. Machiavelli stated that leaders should have the support of the people,…