Stalin : A Machiavellian Prince

He discusses that the prince have military knowledge, love and fear, trustworthiness, and good and bad reputations. He deeply believes in the art of war. "...a prince must not have any objective nor any thought, nor take up any art, other than the art of war and its ordering and discipline; because it is the only art that pertains to him who commands. And it is of such virtue that not only does it maintain those who were born princes, but many times makes men rise to that rank from private station; and conversely one sees that when princes have thought more of delicacies than of arms, they have lost their state." He also writes about whether it is better to be loved or feared, stating that it is best to be feared, but not hated. Love can change in an instant, and it is better to always have control, even if the prince must be feared. Patriotism and dedication to the state was also a very important aspect. In conclusion, Machiavelli strived for power and strength by any means possible. Through violence and fear, the end result would be worth it to him.

For his role in leading the Soviet Union through WWII, one of the worst crises that the country has ever faced, Joseph Stalin is remembered as a leader who held his nation together. Stalin however, is also responsible for the deaths of millions of Soviet Union citizens, ranging in ethnicity from Polish to Russian to Ukrainian. Abuses of power such as the Great Famine of 1932-1933 resulted in the deaths of 7-8 million people, due to Stalin implementing policies of collectivism that fitted his view of an ideal communist society (Midlarsky 265). Many similar instances of massive abuses of power, from executing and exiling political opponents to ethnic cleansing to prevent nationalistic uprisings, mar the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. His extremist ideology that advocated violent revolution, as well as a childhood filled with abuse and violence and a chaotic environment influenced him, creating the man that would terrorize and murder millions of people. He would not however, been able to abuse his power without first obtaining the authority and capability to do as such. Stalin’s political manipulation and shrewdness were peerless, and they granted him positioning to take over and consolidate power within the communist party, as well as establish himself as the legitimate heir to Lenin. Stalin’s establishment of a cult of personality around his past actions helped to eliminated future opposition to his power, and provided stability against potential overthrowing of his

Machiavelli believes that the foundation of a strong Nation State is a strong army. According to The prince the most important part of being a leader is studying the art of war. Staying in power is a main point in the prince and to stay in power a Prince must conduct a strong army. The Prince proclaims not only do you need a strong army but also you need to be in total control of that army. “Prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables

Plato’s account of a tyrant is close to that of the “great” Soviet Leader, Joseph Stalin. In Book IX of the Republic, Glaucon notes that under a tyrannic rule, a city or state will be tragic and depressing; additionally, it is also stated that city will always experience more freedom and content under a king. (Bloom, 257). This account is a key factor in comparing Stalin with the Republic, as Stalin’s ambitions were similar with Plato’s descriptions. Using other descriptions from Plato’s Republic, it clear that Joseph Stalin fits Plato’s account of a tyrant. The Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin suffered greatly and the tyrant rule of Stalin was oppressive, restrictive, and produced great amounts of casualties. We are comparing how Plato’s account for a tyrant is accurate of the results of Joseph Stalin; that a city will experience freedom with kingship, as well as darkness and scrutiny under a tyranny.

Joseph Stalin was bad man. Joseph Stalin liked to kill people. The only thing that I feel bad for him about is that he was born into poverty. Poverty is the state of being extremely poor. This was probably the reason that he did what he did. When he grew up he tried to become the “ruler” of the USSR. He made the USSR very powerful. Joseph Stalin was a very bad man.

In addition, Socrates and Machiavelli would disagree on the most important form of education that a Prince should engage in. Machiavelli argues that the only important thing a Prince needs to study is the art of war. He goes so far as to argue that, “A Prince… must not have any other object nor any other thought, nor must he adopt anything as his art but war, its institutions, and its discipline.” He continues by saying that even during peacetime, a Prince needs to occupy his mind and train himself

This strategy disposed Stalin of any political opposition, which helped him sustain his power. Another major method that Stalin used to maintain his power was the use of propaganda to portray himself as a benevolent father figure. While at the same time he was committing mass murder. In Ukraine alone he killed ten million people in only two years! Many historians agree that Stalin killed over sixty million people. Why did he kill so much people? This can be traced back to Machiavelli’s The Prince. As discussed before, The Prince teaches that a ruler should have the fear of the people. Stalin slaughtered so many people to prevent any opposition to his reign. He eliminated all the strong people, both the intellectual and physical; therefore the few left would be too afraid and too weak, physically and mentally, to resist. Stalin did exactly what Machiavelli stated in the Prince, which was also stated above, “ And here it has to be noted that men must be either pampered or crushed, because they can get revenge fore small injuries but not fore grievous ones.” Stalin stated “ Death is the solution to all problems. No man - no problem.”, “ Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs.”, and “ I trust no one, not even myself.” As it can be clearly seen, Joseph Stalin epitomises most of Machiavelli’s beliefs that are stated in The Prince. Therefore, Stalin can be consider Machiavelli’s ideal prince.

“Death is the solution to all problems. No man - no problem.” This is a direct quote from one of the most notorious men in history, Joseph Stalin. Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid 1920’s until his death. The period in which he ruled over the Soviet Union was known as the Reign of Terror because he was a malicious leader who was ready to do anything to maintain the level of power he achieved. He will forever be remembered as a cold blooded and heartless leader, who took the lives of millions without remorse. This research paper will cover this notorious and deceitful dictator and his early life, rise to power, his reign of terror, and the aftermath of his actions.

Machiavelli believes that a society always needs to be prepared for war and preparation is the only way for it to thrive “because that is the only profession which befits one who commands [...]” he highlights this mentality the most, that the welfare of the physical country is more important than the opinions of others (221). Machiavelli uses examples from prominent war figures to support that using his suggested techniques will make you more effective as a leader after stating how a prince should behave but he leaves out the perspective of those below the prince and what it’s like for

Niccolo Machiavelli, the author of The Prince, believed that anything should be done to keep the security and stability of a country. Although Machiavelli's theory on how to govern a country might have been accepted in the time he lived in, his theory does not fit in the present world. Back in Machiavelli’s era, some ideas and actions that were used to create security and stability are not accepted in present day. Machiavelli’s idea that anything should be done to create security and stability in a country does not fit in today’s world because this concept can lead to the loss of innocent lives, it can be considered inhumane, and it can be prevented through the concept of peace.

The Prince was Machiavelli’s way to write a series of teachings to explain how he thought a successful leader, specifically a Prince should run his kingdom. One of the many topics which he covered in this short collection of essays was the art of warfare. This was focused on in the short but important chapter XVI, titled “What a Prince Should do regarding the Military”. (Page 58-60). Through this chapter, Machiavelli showcases three distinct discipline that a prince or leader should follow to ensure their maintained power and success.

In Chapter 14 of The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, his claim is that a leader should put his focus totally on war. In the chapter Machiavelli persuades Lorenzo the Magnificent and the reader on how you should agree with his claim by explaining that you need to focus on war in order to be prepared when the time comes. Additionally, Machiavelli provides the example about how Philopoemen, Prince of the Achaeans, focused on every situation he could about war so that his soldiers would be prepared to fight. In Chapter 14 Machiavelli writes, “As regards action, he ought above all things to keep his men well organized and drilled, to follow incessantly the chase, by which he accustoms his body to hardships, and learns something of the nature of

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.

Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli advises that a prince should secure power though a combination of fear, deception, cruelty, cunning, and immoral actions, including the execution of political opponents. These negative traits branch out of Machiavelli’s mantra, that “it is far safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both (Prince, p. 151).” To combat the immoral perception of

o Have to have one for the other; have to have business for the sake of leisure, war for the sake of peace, and things useful and necessary for the sake of things honorable. • Men must be able to engage in business and go to war, but leisure and peace are better; they must do what is necessary and indeed what is useful, but what is honorable is better. 14 – How Princes Should Keep Faith – Niccolo Machiavelli • It is praiseworthy for a Prince to keep their faith. • Throughout history , Princes have achieved the most success when they are cunning and able to trick others, yet in the end did better when others trusted them.