Pericles was born in 495 BC into a wealthy political family. His learnings from his family members and his teachers influenced him in such a way that he became one of the most influential politician’s in the Greek world. He was also the reason why the Greek world reached the pinnacle of political power. Thucydides‚ his contemporary historian‚ acclaimed him as "the first citizen of Athens". Pericles father Xanthippus was born into a family of aristocrats where as Pericles mother Agariste was a member
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Unlike the idealistic ancient philosophers such as Plato‚ who discusses politics in “the context of things above politics” (Machiavelli vii)‚ the modern philosophers‚ Niccolò Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes‚ take a realistic approach in explaining political actions and outcomes. Considered to be among the first social scientists‚ they both try to delve deep into the nature of mankind and its relationship to politics. In the course of doing so‚ both authors seem to believe that virtue and morality‚
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Political Climate of 1950’s vs. Today The novelist Lauren Groff once wrote‚ “In America‚ possibly because of whatever the American dream is‚ this happens over and over again. These eras repeat” (“Lauren Groff Quotes”). Two such eras are the 1950’s and the 2010’s. The 50’s‚ remembered with the military-man Eisenhower; the 2010’s‚ with the watershed Obama‚ may seem stark in their physical attributes; however‚ at their heart‚ these two eras may have more in common than first realized. The political
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Niccolò Machiavelli‚ the Italian Renaissance philosopher and diplomat‚ states that a person who is morally good would not remain in office for too long because you are dealing with the mass of the people. He then goes on to say that it is acceptable to lie‚ deceit‚ and scheme your people to remain in power. Thomas Hobbes is an English philosopher
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and existence. Its context of the norms of society and the reasons behind these norms are studied by philosophers whom include Thomas Hobbes and Nicolas Machiavelli. These two recognized philosophical minds have delved into the concept of a ruling government body‚ including governments and royalty. Hobbes penned the famous Leviathan while Machiavelli wrote the controversial The Prince. Both of these books include a deep look into powerful people and their ways of keeping peace and functionality in their
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Benito Mussolini established a dictatorship in 1926‚ 3 years after forming the National Fascist Party. His goal back then was to destroy any political opposition against him and to create a powerful totalitarian state. In Mussolini’s time in politics‚ he searched for many ways to empower the state because of his fascist beliefs of nationalism. Italians followed his orders because they believed in him and the cult of personality; they believed the Duce was always right. He created new regulations
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In the passage from The Prince‚ Machiavelli discusses the idea of leaders coming into power through “popular favour”‚ where in order to maintain this‚ they must ensure that the people feel as though they are not oppressed. If one is starting their reign with the support of the public‚ this leaves them with the responsibility of keeping the people involved in their political decisions and maintain a democracy instead of a dictatorship . This comes into context through Machiavelli’s political background
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are today. Instead‚ they strived to be competitive and feared. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a series of works regarding the guidelines that princes were to follow in order to be successful rulers. He gives examples of both successful and unsuccessful princes and greatly details
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Machiavelli and Rousseau‚ both significant philosophers‚ had distinctive views on human nature and the relationship between the government and the governed. Their ideas were radical at the time and remain influential in government today. Their views on human nature and government had some common points and some ideas that differed. Machiavelli’s views were drastically different from other humanists at his time. He strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but stood
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Machiavelli: Hero or Villain? Writing one of the most acclaimed books of all time must not have been easy; not one bit. Stating that‚ the fact that Frederick Douglas‚ among many others‚ is capable of criticizing Machiavelli and his genius work on The Prince‚ really infuriates me. Unconsciously‚ Niccolo Machiavelli became one of the first and most important philosophical leaders of all time after writing The Prince. Although The Prince is considered one of the greatest pieces of political theory
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