The Prince Essay, Research Paper
The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince examines the nature of power and his views of power are still somewhat in existence today. I’ll discuss this in this essay, emphasizing the following theses. Machiavelli discusses power over the people, dictatorial power, and power with people, shared power. While it is possible for power with to attain greater prevalence in society, it will not completely eliminate power over. In The Prince, Machiavelli discusses two distinct groups of people, the political elite, including nobles and other princes, and the general public. Today in the United States, the first group, the political elite, includes political leaders, religious leaders, business leaders and the leaders of strong lobbying groups. The composition of the general public has changed little from Machiavelli’s time.
Machiavelli concentrates on relations between the prince and the political elite. He claims that ambition and dictatorial power drive most nobles and princes. A prince must act with dictatorial power in order to maintain his position. Machiavelli assumes that shared power will not be effective with nobles, since “whether men bear affection depends on themselves, but whether they are afraid will depend on what the ruler does” (Machiavelli, p.60-61). Since the nobles are unforgiving and greedy it would be dangerous if not downright suicidal for a prince to rely on their good will.
Equally important, Machiavelli states that a prince, a political leader, has different concerns than the general public. For a prince personal actions, which would be considered immoral or unvirtuous, may save lives or help the prince’s country. In this way a prince is not immoral, but instead acts with a morality different in nature from the general public. Machiavelli gives several examples of this. Miserliness is considered a fault. Yet, a miserly prince “will come to be considered more generous when it is realized that his revenues are sufficient to defend himself against enemies that attack him, and to undertake campaigns without imposing special taxes on the people” (p.56). Likewise, starting a war is considered an immoral act by many. Yet, a prince should not allow troubles “to develop in order to avoid fighting a war for wars can not really be avoided, but are merely postponed to the advantage of others” (p.11). Avoiding war may cause more suffering among the people than starting war. For example, many believe that World War II could have been avoided, saving tens of millions of lives, had England and France not pursued a policy of appeasement towards the Germans.
While Machiavelli emphasizes power over in relations between the political elite, he discusses a different kind of power in the relations between a prince and the general public. Machiavelli notes that a prince can share power with the people, since a prince can trust the people much more than he can trust the nobles. Nobles “can not be satisfied if a ruler acts honorably but the people can be thus satisfies, because their aims are more honorable than those of the nobles are: for the latter only want to oppress and the former only want to avoid being oppressed” (p.35). The people are not unforgiving and greedy so the prince can place more trust in the people. Since the public can be trusted, the prince can empower the people. An empowered public will protect the ruler rather than overthrow him. Machiavelli suggests providing people with power in terms of arms, since “when you arm them, these weapons become your own” (p. 72). In this way power is an increasing resource, sharing power with the people can result in greater power for the people and for the prince.
Finally Machiavelli notes that inherent power of the public, which exists despite the dictatorial power that any prince exercises. When discussing fortresses, he states that “the best fortress a ruler can have is not to be hated by the people, for if you possess fortresses and the people hate you, having fortresses will not save you” (p.75). Machiavelli does not disregard shared power as a potentially successful way to govern, but only notes that dictatorial power can not be used exclusively in governing.
Even in relations with the general public, which can include shared power, the prince can not act in ways that might be considered virtuous for the general citizen. People expect leaders to act differently than themselves. Machiavelli notes that people are interested in appearances and results. A leader must seem resolute and moral to the people, and show positive results from his leadership. The most important thing for a leader to do is to avoid being hated or despised by the public, which could occur if a prince took people’s property. For the public, more than the form of power, their perception of power may be the most important for a leader to maintain his position.
As an example from today, President Clinton’s unpopularity can be examined using Machiavelli’s ideas of appearances and results. In terms of appearances, Clinton is seen as irresolute, and as a man with numerous character flaws. His oftentimes messy and disorganized decision-making process has been widely publicized, further eroding any appearance of strong decisive leadership. In terms of results, the ugly political process preceding the results has overshadowed positive results like a lower deficit and improved economy. Clinton is neither feared nor loved by his political opposition, making it difficult for him to produce results without great struggles. The one result remembered by many is that Clinton raised taxes, taking away their property. Thus, Clinton has had difficulty with both appearances and results. One might say that in addition to power, a prince in relations needs political skill with the public. For a politician weaving a good story of one’s accomplishments is more important than the accomplishments themselves.
Machiavelli’s idea of power and how it should be handles as he describes in The Prince can still be used to examine the present. While it’s possible to see only the negative uses of power, one can also see the potential for power to promote the common good. Machiavelli would argue that attending to the common good is in a prince’s best interests, since it gains the support of the people, something more valuable than any fortress or other expression of power.
Другие работы по теме:
Machiavelli Opinions Of A Perfect Princedom Essay
, Research Paper Niccolo Machiavelli?s work The Prince is a letter he wrote, while he was in exile to Lorenzo Medici. In his work he sought to establish a state capable of resisting foreign attack. His writings are concerned with the principles on which a state is founded, and how they are maintained. He describes the methods by which a prince can acquire and maintain political power.
Nat King Cole Essay Research Paper NAT
Nat King Cole Essay, Research Paper NAT KING COLE BORN MARCH 17, 1919 DIED FEBRUARY 15, 1965 BORN NATHANIEL ADAMS COLES HE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN- AMERICAN WHO BECAME A SUCCESS WITH THE WHITE AUDIENCE.
Fart Essay Research Paper the PauperStudy QuestionCh11The
Fart Essay, Research Paper the Pauper Study Question Ch.1 1.The difference between the Canty?s child reception of the world and the Tudors child?s is the Canty?s child feels he has come into the world in trouble, and the Tudor?s child is totally unaware that he is among the great lords and ladies. The receptions are different because one family is rich and the other is poor.
King Henry IV And Joseph Strorm
: Archtypical Fathers Essay, Research Paper King Henry IV and Joseph Strorm: Archtypical Fathers An ideal father is one who is both caring and understanding. To fit this
Richard Iii Essay Research Paper Richard was
Richard Iii Essay, Research Paper Richard was a bad guy. This was one of his speeches: Was ever woman in this humor wooed? Was ever woman in this humor won? I?ll have her, but I will not keep her long.
Machiavelli Essay Research Paper The first great
Machiavelli Essay, Research Paper The first great political philosopher of the Renaissance was Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527). His famous treatise, The Prince, stands apart from all other political
Henry Iv Essay Research Paper Henry IV
Henry Iv Essay, Research Paper Henry IV, A Look at a Machiavellian Ruler When looking at Henry IV while studying Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, one can see that henry was extremely Machiavellian in his ways. The Prince, written by Machiavelli, was written to guide a ruler in the key concepts of being able to have a kingdom that endures and to obtain and control and power in order to succeed during his reign.
The Prince Essay Research Paper Of Princes
The Prince Essay, Research Paper Of Princes and Statesmanship Niccol Machiavelli, historically recognized as one of Italy s most prominent political theorists of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, witnessed the temporary downturn of his homeland s welfare due to foreign invasions from France, Spain, and Germany.
Hamlet Essay Research Paper Synopsis of Hamlet
Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Synopsis of Hamlet Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark he came home to the castle in Elsinore from the University in Wittenberg for the funeral of his father the King. His grief and anger over his fathers death is amplified with he finds out that his uncle (Claudius) takes the throne and marries Hamlet’s mother (Queen Gertrude) two months after the old King’s death.
MachiavelliThe Prince Essay Research Paper Assignment
Machiavelli/The Prince Essay, Research Paper Assignment # 7 Nicolo Machiavelli was the first great political philospher of the Renaissance. He was born in 1469 and died in 1527. He was born in Florence, Italy. At the time he was born, the country was in political upheaval. It was diveded between four dominant city-states, although each was always at the mercy of the stronger, more unified surrounding foreign governments.
Henry The Fourth Essay Research Paper HENRY
Henry The Fourth Essay, Research Paper HENRY THE FOURTH ESSAY In the play ?Henry the fourth? written by William Shakespeare is triumphant and denial. There is a prince named Hal that does not act like a prince that you think a prince would and fat man named Falstaff that is his friend. In this play we see that the prince changes when his father and his country need him from a hooligan of a prince to a prince that is tough and noble.
Ella Enchanted Essay Research Paper A young
Ella Enchanted Essay, Research Paper A young girl named Ella received a spell at birth from the fairy Lucinda. Lucinda gives the gift of always being obedient. The spell causes Ella to obey commands of others. Ella was happy with her life otherwise. Ella and her mother would do everything together, until her mother became sick and died.
Princess Diana Essay Research Paper At the
Princess Diana Essay, Research Paper t the age of thirty-six Princess Diana’s life was brought to an end but the memories of her will never be forgotten. Diana was born on July 1, 1961 and died in a tragic accident on August 31, 1997. Her life consisted of love, heartbreak, family and sharing, continuously in the eye of the public.
Machiavelli Vs Arendt Essay Research Paper Tales
Machiavelli Vs. Arendt Essay, Research Paper Tales There are some similarities between Machiavelli’s, “Qualities of the Prince,” and Arendt’s, “Ideology and Terror.” Hannah Arendt’s piece deals with governmental leadership using totalitarianism as its backbone. Machiavelli’s piece deals with how a prince should properly keep his power over the country in which he rules.
The Prince And The Pauper Mark Twain
(1835-1910) Essay, Research Paper In 1835, when Halley’s comet streaked across the skies, Mark Twain was born in an obscure farm town. Sevebty five years later, when the comet reappeared, Twain died, a famous author.
The Qualities Of The Prince Essay Research
Paper Essay on Niccolo Machiavelli Niccolo Machiavelli recommends a very practical course of action for the prince: obtain power by direct and effective means, which is necessary. In the story "The Qualities of the Prince" by Niccoli Machiavelli, the concept "The ends justify the means" is saying that a prince should hold absolute control of their territories, and they should use any means of resort necessary to accomplish this end, including violence and deception.
The Prince By Niccolo Machiavelli 14691532 Essay
, Research Paper Machiavelli’s prime motive in writing The Prince was to encourage Lorenzo the Magnificent to unite Italy. Like many writers during the Renaissance, Machiavelli was a student of history;
Is The Phrase The Ends Justify The
Means A Useful Summary Of Machiavellis The Prince Essay, Research Paper In Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ it would appear, at first, that Machiavelli is advancing the argument that ‘the ends justify the means’. However, I am unsure that this is a useful summary of ‘The Prince’ and that it may be an over simplification and even a misunderstanding.
Policraticus By John Bishop Of Salisbury And
The Prince, By Niccol Machiavelli Essay, Research Paper Policraticus, by John, Bishop of Salisbury, and The Prince, by Niccol Machiavelli, show distinguishable differences in thinking between the Middle Ages and the period of Renaissance. The two books were written in different eras, and they both talk about the true meaning of prince as a ruler and how he should conduct himself in order to maintain his power.
The Prince Essay Research Paper The PrinceWhat
The Prince Essay, Research Paper The Prince What is Machiavelli’s view of human nature? While reading The Prince, I have come to a conclusion that Machiavelli demonstrates a view of governing a state that is so different from that of humanists of his time thought. The humanists of Machiavelli’s time believed that an individual had a lot to offer to the well being of the state and should be able to help in whatever way necessary.
Princess Diana Essay Research Paper Princess DianaPrincess
Princess Diana Essay, Research Paper Princess Diana Princess Diana was an exceptional leader. Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher in London until her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in February of 1981. She wed Prince Charles in an internationally televised ceremony on July 29, 1981. Almost immediately, “Shy Di” as she was initially called by the press, blossomed into the “people’s Princess”.
Coming To America Adjusting To A Culture
Essay, Research Paper Coming To America: Adjusting to a Culture Prince Ahkeim Jahfar wakes up on his twenty-first birthday and realizes that he is to be wed to a woman he has never met before. This is a custom that
The Little Prince Essay Research Paper The
The Little Prince Essay, Research Paper The Little Prince 1) Parable, as defined by Webster?s dictionary means a short fictious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. This story might be considered a parable because as the Little Prince visits the different planets he learns to look deeper that what he sees and he learns something new.
Analysis Of Machiavelli
’s The Prince Essay, Research Paper In secular democracies, power is necessarily derived from the will of the governed. That power is then entrusted to a leader, who Machiavelli would understand to be a prince . Inherently, his book, The Prince, has been close at hand for most politicians for centuries, as it provides general, historically proven advice for principalities and republics on how to govern and maintain relations with their most important resource and the very core of their power, which would be the people themselves.
The Prince Essay Research Paper The Prince
The Prince Essay, Research Paper The Prince is by far Machiavelli’s most well known and important work. In 1513, after his exile from Florence, Machiavelli began this great work. In The Prince, Machiavelli dedicated it to Lorenzo de Medici, who never responded to the privately sent copy. Interestingly enough , the line of the Medici family represented the ineffectual leadership that Machiavelli disliked in The Prince.
Princess Of Cleves Essay Research Paper Princess
Princess Of Cleves Essay, Research Paper Princess Of Cleves The princess of cleves is the first important novel because it s the first written by a woman, and it s the first non-romance. This is the first story where the ending is a tragedy rather then a happy ending. The psychological aspects of the characteristics are more realistic then ever before.
Prince Hal Essay Research Paper In The
Prince Hal Essay, Research Paper In The First Part of King Henry the Fourth, Shakespeare presents Prince Hal; a young man faced with his coming of age as king. Prince Hal is torn between a world filled with youthful irresponsibility and a world that consists of adult political seriousness. Shakespeare uses several dramatic foils to highlight Prince Hal?s inner conflict.
The Masque Of The Red Death By 2
The Masque Of The Red Death By Edgar Allen Poe Essay, Research Paper Edgar Allen Poe’s ?The Masque of the Red Death? is an elaborate allegory that combines objects in the story with visual descriptions to give focus to the reader’s imagination. In the story, a prince named Prospero tries to dodge the Red Death through isolation and seclusion.
Princess Di Essay Research Paper THERE ARE
Princess Di Essay, Research Paper THERE ARE MANY IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE MOVIE STARS, ATHLEATS, PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE OTHERS, AND PEOPLE WHO HELP OTHERS. ONE PERSON WHO I BELIEVE EXCELLED IN OUR WORLD WAS PRINCESS DIANA. PRINCESS DIANA WAS A LOVING, CARING, AND HELPING WOMEN WHOM A LOT OF PEOPLE ADMIRE.
Hamlet Act I Essay Research Paper In
Hamlet Act I Essay, Research Paper In Act I of Hamlet, the ghost of the king hamlet comes to the battlement, outside a castle in Denmark. Marcellus and Horatio ask the ghost to speak, but
Swan Lake Essay Research Paper Swan LakeSwan
Swan Lake Essay, Research Paper Swan Lake Swan Lake is a ballet that consist of four acts. It is based from a German fairy tale. It contains music from Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The first performance of Swan Lake was in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theater. It was held on May 4, 1877. The choreographer was Julius Reisinger.
Symbols Essay Research Paper SymbolsSymbols can play
Symbols Essay, Research Paper Symbols Symbols can play very important roles in the stories that contain them. ?The Masque of the Red Death? by Edgar Allan Poe has three major examples of symbols that help to give the story its true meaning. The three main occurrences of symbolism are evident as a color, number, or a name.