Niccolò Machiavellis Acquisition of Power Essay - 1327 Words

Niccolà ² Machiavelli is representative of Renaissance thinkers in his perception of government. No longer was government seen as an institution granted by God but rather governments were largely becoming arrangements or contracts between those that govern and the governed. Thinkers from Aristotle to Francis Bacon would expound on this idea of a social contract, but none would exemplify the realism and ruthlessness of modern politics like Machiavelli. While the word Machiavellian has become part of our lexicon as a term for the ruthless execution of political will glorifying the â€Å"ends justify the means† mentality, Machiavelli’s true legacy should be found in his belief that the state was more than a contract as Bacon or John Locke†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Machiavelli viewed all turmoil as a result of an irremediable and tragic conflict between man’s limitless cupidity and the limited possibilities for its satisfaction.† Since this conf lict persisted throughout human history, the state plays a pivotal role in rectifying this scenario. Machiavelli outlines his ideas in his seminal work The Prince. In this work Machiavelli dissects the history of ancient Rome and Greece to better understand and comprehend the politics of his era. The Prince is guidebook and political treatise designed to help any prince or republican government best fulfill its role as â€Å"disciplinarian of ‘evil’ man.† To do this Machiavelli: [j]ustifies the book by showing that politics is a science from which men can learn, not just a learned recreation to be indulged in while Fortune dictates what is done; Fortune, he emphasizes, can, and must, be made to serve the deft and resolute prince. It was written to satisfy a need, but the impulse was personal rather than a specific political one. Throughout his work, Machiavelli exemplifies realist politics in their most basic and ruthless form. It is these judgments that allow the enlightened prince to govern effectively and maintain order within his state. By authoring The Prince and using it as a platform to emphasize his particular brand of politics, Machiavelli breaks new ground and by advising the reader to govern based on coldShow MoreRelatedIn the Defense of The Prince1333 Words   |  5 Pagesfeared than loved ? In any context, this could look like remorseless; however, the deeper the meanings are reached once with a glance at Machiavellis morals and arguments achieved. Inside this essay, I will discuss the deserves, shortfalls and contravene arguments of the philosopher political philosophy and system. Also, I will be able to check up on Machiavellis personal history; furthermore to grasp abundant any what and the way drive this argument. It is scarcely scarily eerie to relish the philosopherRead More Cassirer, Nietzsche and Niccolà ² Machiavellis The Prince Essay1154 Words   |  5 PagesCassirer, Nietzsche and Niccolà ² Machiavellis The Prince When the word Renaissance is mentioned, an image of love for antiquity learning and fine arts usually springs to ones mind. Yet this perception, however legitimate it may be in many areas of Renaissance human achievements, shatters in the face of Niccolà ² Machiavellis masterpiece The Prince. Unlike his contemporary Baldassare Castiglione who exemplified subtlety, Machiavelli was ruthlessly practical, nonchalantly callous, and admirablyRead MorePolitical Action and Morality in Machiavellian Times1232 Words   |  5 Pageshis age, Niccolà ² Machiavelli. The Florentine politician, known most famously for his work, The Prince, discusses, among other things, the relationship between morality and political action. However, unlike the vast majority of his European predecessors, who often argued that political power should be in the hands of the morally virtuous ruler, Machiavelli produces a contrary argument, in which morality plays no role in judging the difference between legitimate a nd illegitimate uses of power. To thisRead MoreMachiavelli Ecclesiastical Principalities1238 Words   |  5 PagesWord count: 1,206 (with citations) The Prince is Machiavelli’s guide for ruling and conquering states. Machiavelli elaborates on various ways to acquire principalities and provides the reader with a straightforward guide on how to successfully conquer and maintain control over states. Machiavelli analyses the strengths and flaws of certain paths to conquest, how to maintain a hold on power and the importance of strong arms. Machiavelli sees humans as easily persuaded and simple minded. He believesRead MoreThe Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli2045 Words   |  8 Pages‘funded by the Medici’ (The Ascent to Money 2009) family. This is particularly significant as Niccolà ² di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, was born into the nobility in the Republic of Florence on 3rd May 1469. He was educated in Latin and then studied at the University of Florence. This fuelled his interest in political theory and so the Medici. During his childhood, Lorenzo de Medici, Il Magnifico, had vast power and influence over the fort unes of Florence fortunes. In awe of the ‘magnificence of the MediceanRead MoreEssay on Machiavelli’s The Prince and the Modern Executive1943 Words   |  8 Pagesturning point in our collective history, the origin of the study of politics as a science (Pollock 43), is alone enough to warrant its classification as a Great Book. Its author, Niccolo Machiavelli, a contemporary of Copernicus, is generally accepted as an early contributor to the scientific revolution, because he looked at power and the nature of sovereignty through the eyes of a scientist, focused completely on the goal without regard for religion and morals and ethics. Machiavelli taught that the wayRead More Machiavellian Folly in The Prince Essay1696 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavellian Folly in The Prince      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the annals of history, many individuals have contributed great works of literature, waxing philosophically on the meaning of life, death, and love.  Ã‚   Niccolo Machiavelli wrote not on love or life, but on power:   How to capture it, how to consolidate it, and how to defend it against all comers.   His work has been talked about and dissected to the extent that his subject matter and methods have earned their own moniker:   Machiavellian.   Nonetheless,Read MoreMachiavelli Essay1825 Words   |  8 Pageswith great minds than live in paradise with that dull rabble. In his lifes writings, Niccolo Machiavelli, sought out the strength of the human character, and wrote according to his own rules; trying to better the political philosophy of his time. Machiavelli, a fiercely independent Renaissance man, advocated the prosperity of Italian politics, and wanted Italy to rise above the rest of the world. Machiavellis writings dealt with many issues that had not been attacked in his time, and utilizedRead MoreBirth of a New Era Essay1488 Words   |  6 Pagesastonishing revolution was coined the Renaissance, which meant â€Å"rebirth.† The Renaissance led to such literary pioneers as Niccolà ² Machiavelli. His work, The Prince, gave detailed instructions as to what qualities a perfect leader must possess and how to use these qualities. Machiavelli presented a thorough account of a perfect prince and how he achieved and maintained power. Machiavelli’s The Prince is a classic literary example of Renaissance writing in the ideas it conveys and how it conveys them. Read MoreNiccolo Machiavelli s The Prince, A Secularist And Realist View Of Politics1260 Words   |  6 Pagesthought processes of a group or nation in the present day. Niccolà ³ Machiavelli, born in the late 15th century, is considered the father of modern political thought and some even consider him the founder of the concept of ‘modernity’ itself. Machiavelli’s most famous piece of writing, The Prince, a secularist and realist view of politics, was a dramatic break from previous political thought anchored in tradition and religion. The notion of power politics is ingrained within the text and is considered