Niccolò Machiavelli

authority. The leaders of the rebellions have to decide if the government oppression of rights classifies them as tyrants and they are justified in their uprising. “The Prince”, written by Niccolo Machiavelli discusses an amoral approach when deciding to act. Its important to understand the context Machiavelli was writing this in, it is heavily debated whether this was a satirical piece or his actual intention. Regardless of his intention, The Prince is a reflection on how one gains and wields…

While writing his 16th century political treatise The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli emphasized the relative importance of being feared over loved as a prince. Machiavelli’s argument is based off of the idea that “it is more compassionate to impose harsh punishments on a few than out of excessive compassion, to allow disorder to spread” (536). To support his argument, Machiavelli cites several historical incidents of were being feared over loved benefited or saved a ruler’s position or his nation.…

eventually develops the theory of the social contract and the Sovereign. Like Hobbes, Niccolo Machiavelli is also recognized as one of the greatest political theorists and founders of modern thought. Machiavelli wrote The Prince which was published in 1951. Machiavelli and Hobbes are alike and yet very different at the same time. Throughout this essay, The Prince and Leviathan will be used to reflect the positions of Machiavelli and Hobbes and subsequently, to create a broader understanding of…

government should play big roles in society but the people should have just as much say as the government. After analyzing different authors views on government such as Machiavelli, Thomas Jefferson, and Lao Tzu it is clear that each have strong separate belief’s. As each of their political views are understandable and…

Both Augustine of Hippo and Niccolo Machiavelli seem to be “pessimistic” philosophers, taking a dim view of human history and human nature. However, their understandings of human nature are fundamentally different from, and to some extent, incompatible with each other. For Augustine, humans are sinful creatures, not by nature or creation, but by their choice of disobedience made from their defective free will, so salvation comes from God — loving God and faith in God. States should be based on…

Growing up in such a tumultuous era allowed Niccolò Machiavelli to examine many cases of the rise and subsequent fall of short-lived governments as well as their causes, such as constantly changing alliances. These experiences led to a cynical view of human nature along with a clear understanding of the objectionable behavior necessary to retain power in politics. His career as a politician and diplomat cemented his very pragmatic stance on human nature and the nature of politics, both of which…

that are created by “Gods” or by rulers who claim to have a relationship with the “Gods”. These articles of faith reveal the truth of how one should live and the beliefs they should follow. During the Renaissance Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a…

and its Effectiveness on Modern Politics In “The Qualities of the Prince,” Niccolò Machiavelli argues that although a prince would ideally want to be characterized as possessing the qualities of virtue and righteousness, he must also be willing to resort to actions that are immoral or deceitful in order to maintain power. Although having qualities of vice might damage the reputation of a leader temporarily, Machiavelli argues that it will lead to the rise and success of a leader in the long run…

Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince is a classic, literary work that illustrates and defines the true characteristic qualities of a prince, monarch, ruler, nobleman, or any other titled person of power. Those who follow Machiavelli’s judgement would be considered as strong and wise leaders. Some leaders in history have exemplified praised qualities, whereas others have succeeded in alternative methods. These leaders have assumed great, influential power, but the processes by which they lead…

heard “The ends justify the means” in conjunction with the renaissance politician Niccolo Machiavelli. This quote paints him as a sketchy, heartless, ruthless, double-crossing politician. When I heard his famous saying, I wanted to find out, what events in his life lead him to believe in such heartless way of life? Also, did he ever use this mantra in his own life? As I started my search for the answer, I learned MACHIAVELLI NEVER ACTUALLY SAID THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS (CS Monitor)! Is he…