In the introduction Harvey C. Mansfield explains the book’s contents and what to expect as you read one of the “most famous book on politics ever written”(intro page 6) and I for one don't disagree at all. Niccolò Machiavelli goes into depth on various subjects in the book such as the different types of sovereignty and principalities, the distinct type of armies and how to properly lead them as a military leader, the debate about the aspect and behavior of...
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The meaning of necessity in a broader sense is something that we can’t live without. For example, when saying that a decision was necessary to be made, it means we don’t have a choice under those circumstances, the decision had to be made to accomplish some end. In the book, Machiavelli used necessity mainly referring to political necessity, so if a leader like the prince wants to accomplish his goals, he must use a certain method no matter whether it’s...
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Is Machiavelli’s The Prince anything more than a handbook for would-be dictators? Niccolo Machiavelli was one of the most controversial political theorists in history, most known for his works, the Prince and the Discourses of Livy. He had a questionable political career, going from being a civil servant of Florence to organising a civil militia before eventually being removed by Medici forces. The Prince, the most famous of his two books was written in 1513 during Machiavelli’s 15-year hiatus from...
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Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince explores the nature of power and his views of power which are still somewhat in existence today. This essay will discuss and examine the principals of Machiavelli's theory. Machiavelli emphasis power over the people and dictatorial power, and power with people. It is possible to use power to attain greater acceptance in society, as there will always be people who have power over them. In The Prince, Machiavelli discusses, on how to obtain power and keep...
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Why are Machiavelli’s ideas in The Prince often described as a ‘handbook for tyrants’? Are they compatible with his republican views in the Discourses on Livy? Machiavelli was born in Florence in the year 1469. At this point Italy was not a unified state, Florence was a city state and a republic. Machiavelli was not from a noble rich family, still he worked his way up and by 1498 age 29 he became the Second Chancellor of the Florentine Republic....
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This essay discusses the views and arguments of the famous philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) by analyzing and interpreting his theoretical perspectives we come to understand the ways in which he thought to acquire power and to maintain it as a ‘Prince’. In addition to this, we will interpret his work through examples from his book “The Prince” but also through modern day examples that will help us understand clearly. Discussing more on his principalities of being a good prince (ruler)...
4 Pages
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This book is written by Italian diplomat named Niccolò Machiavelli. He dedicated himself working for the Medici house in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance era. Although he was banished from the Florentine government since the Medici house was no longer in power, he still devoted himself writing a book called ‘The Prince' to Lorenzo De' Medici, the new ruler of Florence. He mentioned in the book that, any men who want to give something to a prince. One must the...
2 Pages
781 Words
Machiavelli wrote the prince in dedication to Lorenzo Medici. But Machiavelli had a greater purpose in writing the Prince, he wanted to share his knowledge of statecraft to the struggling political men. The Prince was written in the beginning of the Renaissance when monarchies and governments were rebuilding themselves all over Italy and Europe. Machiavelli had insight into the political world by being a papal secretary and being a noble man as well he was not to be modest with...
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The themes of the book include statesmanship and warcraft, goodwill and hatred, free will, virtue, and human nature. Regarding statesmanship and warcraft, Machiavelli relies on the fact that good laws act in accordance with a good military. A famous quote from The Prince where Machiavelli states “the presence of sound military forces indicates the presence of sound laws”. He portrays his understanding of war as a necessity in the development of states. A big chunk of the book is dedicated...
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In Machiavelli's, The Prince, he discusses with the reader what a prince should look like and how he should act in the presence of his kingdom. Many of these traits are what everyone man and woman should follow, including being compassionate, strong, and intelligent. Consequently, Machiavelli really focuses on the traits of a true prince, such as Julius Caesar. Caesar was a ruler who ruled by force, kept his word, and had his hands on cruelty and mercy. These three...
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Should I live or die? He asks if it is nobler to suffer the things that happen to you or to oppose and fight back against them. You could end the trouble or end up killing yourself in the process. To die is to sleep as when you sleep, you are able to end heartaches and shocks. But if everyone is not killing themselves, the afterlife is probably bad. This is why people live through their lives even when their...
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