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Machiavelli's View Of War

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Machiavelli's View Of War
The Role of War
Lingqi Huang A98037303

In The Prince and Utopia, Readers may take the view that Machiavelli put the role of war in a far more significant position than More does for granted, basing on the appearance that Machiavelli mentions the significance of war and army in a considerably higher frequency than More does. However, by analyzing the background of the countries in the two works, the similarities in authors’ strategy before and during the war, authors’ claim and actual practice of war, I would argue that Machiavelli and More have the similar views about the role of war and they both put the role of war in an extremely significant position that can directly determine the fate of their countries. Such analysis not only reveals …show more content…
If Machiavelli were to live on the Utopia Island, how would he react according to all his values in The Prince? As More states in Utopia, “The hours they work are not merely enough but actually more than enough to that they have a plentiful supply, not only of basic necessities, but of whatever is needed to make life pleasurable.” (Utopia, p.99), Utopia is a country based on communal society, in which people contribute their parts and share the plentiful products that make all their lives pleasurable. Thus, it is reasonable for Machiavelli to believe that the chief executive of Utopia would hardly ever need to worry about foreign invaders and rebellion within the country, considering the geographical advantage of Utopia and that almost everyone in Utopia lives a happy live. However, in such a peaceful and safe atmosphere, Utopians still make every necessary effort in maintaining a powerful local army. For instance, “They are extremely ingenious at inventing engines of war” (Utopia, p.143), and “If any ruler takes up arms against them, and prepare to invade their territory, then they send a large force to meet him before he reaches to their borders” (Utopia, p.143), the above examples show Utopians’ well preparation and fast action to wars. When turning to Machiavelli’s The Prince, I can find exactly the same opinion, that preparation for war in peace is extremely significant, “He must never idle away his days of peace, but vigorously make capital that will pay off in times of adversity; thus, when fortune changes, it will find him in a position to resist.” (The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli, p.42). Basing on Machiavelli’s own opinion above in The Prince, if he were in Utopia, he would prepare Utopian army for the rainy days in the peaceful sunny days as well.
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