Machiavelli Different Positions on Government

Throughout modern history societies have debated as to which is the ideal form of government rule. All the major philosophers have put forth their thoughts and ideas on politics as described in their published works, yet these philosophers could not agree on the single ideal form of government. In some instances philosophers even disagreed with themselves as described in the different texts that they wrote. For example, the political thinker/philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, described two radically different views of government in his two works Prince and Discourses. In the Prince he argues that a monarchy is the ideal rule where as in Discourses he believes that a republic is the most appropriate form. They differ in argument based on how they analyze the ideal state, either through its ruler as the head of its people or through a realistic overall view of government, religion, the influence from the world and the fundamental ideas of each text.
The Prince argues for a monarchy through his support of a strong leader. A strong leader to Machiavelli is a person who has virtue and luck. Machiavelli provides a framework for a ruler to keep order and security for a better society. Machiavelli is known for such statements as it is better to be feared than loved and that the ends justify the means. He believed that kingdoms should have definite allies and enemies and that leaders should learn the art of war. In fact, one of his works was entitled The Art of War. Whatever means necessary to preserve the state and provide balance and security. There are really only two types of government that would fit his framework of government, a monarchy and a tyranny. Machiavelli makes the point to say that a tyranny is bad and when he talks about Agathocles and how he is an example of a bad ruler because he was a tyrant, and this is why he supports a monarchy. Agathocles can be viewed as one of the finest generals but Machiavelli makes a point to say that “one ought not, of course,