Machiavelli's The Prince

Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 16th-century. His methods of acquiring and maintaining rule over people are not relevant in today’s modern American society. There are many principles that are still true in politics today, but the methods of ruling can no longer be used in American society today.

The Oxford Dictionary defines the term “Machiavellian” as someone who is cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or in advancing one’s career. These principles, as well as others, were established in Niccolo Machiavelli’s book, The Prince. The Prince dwelves on what a person needs to do to obtain and maintain power in a principality. Although it was written nearly 500 years ago, it has influenced countless rulers over time. A great example of one of these rulers is Joseph Stalin, dictator of the U.S.S.R (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) from 1929 - 1953.

Machiavelli’s, The Prince, a book written by Niccolò Machiavelli, is a read that most people wouldn’t prefer to read as a first option but in defense to Niccolo, it brings out many themes such as Goodwill and Hatred, Free will, and Human Nature. “It is known from his personal correspondence that The Prince was written during 1513, the year after the Medici took control of Florence, and a few months after Machiavelli 's arrest, torture, and banishment by the Medici regime” (Bio.com). The novel was written during a time of political turbulence as a practical guide to help Lorenzo de Medici stay in power. As well with the following themes, the book contains suspenseful moments as well as action packed pages. The whole book itself is set during the backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, a period of intense activity in art, literature and science. It is also an analysis of how to acquire and obtain political power.

History 's most prominent leaders have shown extreme congruence. These leaders almost always hold reality over ethics. How can we classify lying and manipulative leaders as immoral when their duplicity is the very reason a society can maintain stability? This idea has of "means justifying the ends" has been a staple in History 's most prosperous of societies. Machiavelli 's novel The Prince was the first stab at understanding this human tendency of what is now known as Machiavellian. Machiavelli grasped the sad reality of our world and did not fall prey to other 's idealistic propaganda. Great leaders understand what the endless potential they hold, they can manipulate their followers to make best of what is possible and above all they understand sacrifice. Modern day Machiavellians and successful leaders think realistically and communicate through idealism. No matter the extremes of your belief, utilizing Machiavellian tactics have the capability to bring anyone to power.

The Prince was a book that really opened my eyes to a certain way of thinking and not feeling like a bad person for thinking that way. A lot of people regard narcissism as bad and selfish and make you out to be an ignorant villain. Growing up I have always considered myself to be quite narcissistic and everyone around me always made me feel like it was a crime to think highly of myself. Having narcissistic qualities is not a crime, in fact depending on where you want your life to go it can be a blessing to have those qualities. Although these qualities can be to our benefit in some instances, if we do not know how to use the power of these qualities they will become of no use and instead work against us.

“The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.” Thus being said by Machiavelli, in his book The Prince, as he gives some general guidelines on how to govern a country. Although some may seem irrational many of his views, like war on terror, seem to make practical sense. Ever since the attacks on 9/11, American politicians have struggled with Machiavellian principles, mainly weather or not to use them in their dealings with foreign affairs. When terrorists attack using unconventional methods of warfare that result in the death of innocent civilians, the rules of war change. Suddenly, the elimination of those terrorist organizations becomes the first priority, and

1. The advice Machiavelli offers a prince advice on how he should act as a ruler. The first piece of advice Machiavelli offers is. that a price who wants to retain his power must know how to do wrong. The second piece of advice is that it is better to be feared than to be loved because your people will only love as long as you are giving them the things they desire, but will immediately turn on you once you cannot accommodate their wishes.

Today, society goes to great lengths to project the illusion that genuine leadership signifies only a steadfast commitment to upholding the moral and ethical high ground. Culturally, it’s expected that great leaders must be individuals personifying solely the grandest principles of that society, while excluding and condemning the less admired ones. While this conviction is prevalent throughout our society, this belief is most perpetuated each year in the upper echelons our government during presidential and congressional elections, when candidates are asked inane questions about family values rather than political experience and ambitions. On this basis, our society consequently tends to overlook what true leadership is by choosing our leaders only on the basis of moral merit rather than real political accomplishment. With regard to that, in his work, The Prince, Machiavelli offers a contrasting and humanizing view of leadership when he suggests that successful leaders must be half animal, with equal parts fox and lion. Machiavelli proposes this concept to insinuate that a proper ruler must exist as a courageous and charismatic individual on the surface, but cunning and self-preserving one beneath it. He illustrates this argument through his depiction of leaders possessing an animalistic alter ego, his understanding of a ruler’s behavior, his description of the various forms in which one can acquire power, and his preference over being thought of as

Machiavelli’s The Prince is just as applicable to the lives of leaders in the 1500’s as it is for leaders in modern times. Although any person who is in a position of authority might not say that they use Machiavellian tactics. Through their actions it is evident that the teachings of The Prince are still used on a global scale. Concepts such as safeguarding the state, and becoming wealthy, are just a few of the concepts that are beneficial to a strong government and reflected in current political situations at home and abroad.

Machiavelli’s work The Prince is, evidently, a bit dated. However, the points that it expresses maintain their significance, even when monarchies are no longer the primary form of government. The Prince is relevant to contemporary society in today’s age as it relates to contemporary elements such as North Korea, World War II, and more.

In the “Photo Essay Reviews” by Zeynep Dervrim Gursel and Alan Klima, one of the main points, was to point out what Hoffman tended to do in his photo essay, which was show how mining shaped the bodies of these younger step-by-step during the workplace. In addition, the authors go on the defining what a photo essay is, which is defined as collections of images, narrative in which visual essay elements create themes and dialogues (Gursel et Klima). However, Hoffman lacks these elements in his photo essay. They point out that Hoffman contradicted his main focus he claimed he would. The point out what Hoffman is mostly successful, which is the shape and text of the work. He points out some of evidences from Hoffman talking about work of the diamond

Niccolò Machiavelli wrote “The Prince” as an essential guideline for how to obtain a kingdom and even furthermore ensure the continuance of the kingdom. In doing so, he put forth his ideas that would earn a ban from the Catholic church due it challenging their ideals and often seen as tyranny. While the work is written as a basic guideline for the many aspiring rulers, Machiavelli discusses his wishes for the unity of Italy which somewhat contradicts his ideas in the way a person would be able to obtain a kingdom. Instead of believing in the possibility of the popular utopian society, Machiavelli believed that we should instead treat and govern people for how they really are which can stray far from the utopian mold. Machiavelli was one of the first to publicize the

Machiavelli’s The Prince, guided me to become a better leader. Some consider him as an opportunist or manipulative, while others like me see him as a great influence in the history of politics. Moreover, I learned four leadership lessons from his book and applied them to my life. I chose these lessons because I feel that they are ultimately important for anyone ruling a country or trying to become a successful leader. For instance, to be feared is key to ruling, princes must avoid making themselves hated by powerful people, choose wise advisors, and read to become wiser.

Machiavelli was a renowned author of political science. In the book The Prince, he argues that there is no link between the practice of politics and morality. According to his school of thought, bad faith, hypocrisy, falsehood, murder, violence and even duplicity are all acceptable ways to achieve political ambitions. In short, when it comes to political affairs, the ends justify the means. He was of the opinion that what could be seen as good in one situation could be considered evil in another situation. However, he did not deny that the old rule of private morality exists. Machiavelli acknowledges that in most instances, these morals dictate the relationships between individuals, however, he reasons that this is not applicable with Princes.

By many, Niccolò Machiavelli is infamous for being one of the most controversial political philosophers during the period of 1494-1564. Machiavelli is a realist whose lack of idealistic optimism is the root of his cynicism towards human nature and human weakness. He is a perpetuator of the idea that “the means justifies the end.” Although an ample amount of individuals criticize his principles, many rational thinkers embrace the political realities he so adamantly acquaints his readers with in his writings. His views, though misunderstood, are what built the bridge between the Greek, Roman, and Medieval outlook with that of the modern world.