Machiavelli Research Paper

Niccolo Machiavelli was a unique politician, philosopher, and writer who lived in Florence, Italy during the European Renaissance period of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is most famously known for writing his ruthless handbook for rulers, The Prince, during his time in exile in 1513. This contentious piece of literature has been fondly referred to as “the guidebook for tyrants and totalitarians,” according to the documentary, Machiavelli: The Prince by director Jett Rink. However, the document has also been credited with positively paving the way for ethnic and religious toleration, individual rights, and modern democracies all throughout history; and it inevitably set the stage for future governments to come. In this way, it is

Niccolò Machiavelli suggested in The Prince that a ruler should behave as both a fox and a lion, being both loved and feared. There are clever rulers who were strategic, courageous rulers who were effective, and successful rulers who possessed both qualities. Elizabeth I of England and Henery IV of France were two great rulers from Europe that were able to personify Machiavelli 's advice.

The Church accused Niccolo Machiavelli of being Satan for writing his book The Prince. Machiavelli completed The Prince in 1513. He wrote it as a gift to Lorenzo Medici, called the Magnificent, ruler of Florence. The political views Machiavelli expressed in his book went against the theology of the Church, specifically the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.

Chapter 12 speaks of the innovation and exploration between the time period of 1453-1533. Right off the bat the chapter speaks of the great changes that happened with the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. Also how the printing press made book more excess able and helped the spread of humanism. It continues on to speak of Machiavelli (Machiavellianism), his philosophy , and the politics of Italy. It goes on the speak of how Baldassare Castiglione and writer who wrote a guide/manual speaking of how smart men like Machiavelli could become a courtier. A courtier being a man who attends a royal court as a companion or adviser to the king or queen. Then the chapter speaks of how art techniques advanced and for the artist to

Machiavelli says that a ruler must be a combination of a fox and a lion. A ruler needs to have the cunning mind of a fox but also needs to have the strength of a lion so that he can destroy anyone who opposes him.

Machiavelli first mentions Ferdinand to use him as an example of a principality that is acquired by adding it to an existing one, which is what he did when he agreed by treaty in 1500 to share the Kingdom of Naples with Louis XII and later expelled the French and joined that kingdom to Spain. (p.5) Following this, Ferdinand’s actions and his ability to maintain an excellent reputation are praised in Chapter 21. Machiavelli states that esteem is an important part of ruling and that a prince earns a reputation for greatness by doing great things. He says that Ferdinand went from being a weak king to being known as the first King of Christians, by fame and glory.

One of Machiavelli’s most well-known philosophies is that of “it is safer to be feared than loved…” (69). Idi Amin, also known as the ‘Butcher of Uganda’ for his cruelness and ruthlessness, clearly illustrates an example of this belief in practice. After seizing power by overthrowing former President Milton Obote, Idi Amin wanted to rid of any threat to his newly attained power, so he formed the Public Safety Unit (PSU) and had the organization “redouble their efforts to uncover subversives and other imagined enemies of the state.” For the people of Uganda, “fear and insecurity became a way of life… as thousands of people disappeared.”. Amin established an environment filled with fear and angst. The brutal and intimidating dictator knew that

Acquiring and Maintaining Power Niccolo Machiavelli sets an overarching theme in his book The Morals of the Prince, he makes it clear that a Prince is to do all that he can to acquire and maintain a state of power. Throughout his eighteenth chapter “The Way Princes Should Keep Their Word”, Machiavelli discusses two methods of fighting. One being through the means of law, which comes naturally to a menthe second being through the usage of force, that has two subordinate categories ,this method comes naturally to beast. Certainly an emphasis is placed on the having a balance between the two.

Niccolo Machiavelli stressed that “one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it is much safer to be feared than loved…for love is held by a chain of obligation which, men being selfish, is broken whenever it serves their purpose; but fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never fails.” He felt that a true leader must be cunning and deceptive, winning the hearts of his people through power and influence. If he could not be liked, he could at least get by knowing he has intimidated these below him into submission. However rash or cruel this may seem, Machiavelli’s argument is not one to be countered easily.

Machiavelli has long been required reading for everyone intrested in politics and power. In The Prince Niccolo M

When reading Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince, one can't help but grasp Machiavelli's argument that morality and politics can not exist in the same forum. However, when examining Machiavelli's various concepts in depth, one can conclude that perhaps his suggested violence and evil is fueled by a moral end of sorts. First and foremost, one must have the understanding that this book is aimed solely at the Prince or Emperor with the express purpose of aiding him in maintaining power. Therefore, it is essential to grasp his concepts of fortune and virtue. These two contrary concepts reflect the manner in which a Prince should govern while minimizing all chance and uncertainty. This kind of governing demands violence to be taken, however

When reading Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, one can’t help but grasp Machiavelli’s argument that morality and politics can not exist in the same forum. However, when examining Machiavelli’s various concepts in depth, one can conclude that perhaps his suggested violence and evil is fueled by a moral end of sorts. First and foremost, one must have the understanding that this book is aimed solely at the Prince or Emperor with the express purpose of aiding him in maintaining power. Therefore, it is essential to grasp his concepts of fortune and virtue. These two contrary concepts reflect the manner in which a Prince should govern while minimizing all chance and uncertainty. This kind of governing demands violence to be taken, however this

Niccoló Machiavelli is perhaps the greatest political thinker in history. He was a historian, musician, a poet, and he wrote comedies. He liked poetry as much as he liked philosophy. Machiavelli wrote and collected poems. His works, which are inspired by his life experiences, have been read by many of the worlds greatest politicians. Niccoló Machiavelli’s writing was influenced by the Medici family, the Soderini government in Italy, and his own diplomatic career. His great work, The Prince, is legendary for its impact in politics and its controversial proposals.

It is fundamentally important to preface the discussion hosted in this essay by addressing ourselves to the most mundane question-why consider Machiavelli in the context of philosophy, least of all, political philosophy? This question dominates any philosophical inquiries of the Machiavelli’s political ideologies. Put differently, do the contributions by Niccolò Machiavelli to the various salient discourses in the Western thought, most notably political theory, meet the requisite standard models of academic philosophy? Machiavelli essentially seems not to consider himself a philosopher. In fact, he overtly disapproved of any philosophical inquiries into his works. In addition, his credentials do not qualify him to be properly admitted within the realm of philosophy (NeDermAN, 2002).

In the book, The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli thoroughly explains the lifestyle a proper prince should uphold and the skills/actions he should keep in his arsenal, if the time ever comes. I’ve chosen chapters 15, 16, and 17 to further my claims on whether or not these ideas should be used in today’s government. Chapter 15 mainly focuses on the things for which men, but mainly princes, are praised or blamed for in an everyday society. Chapter 16 touches on how often one should be generous and liberal. Finally, chapter 17, the most controversial chapter of Machiavelli’s book discussed among many, tells the famous line of whether it is better to be loved