of things. (23)” This excerpt is no less true today than when it was written five-hundred years ago in “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli. He makes this comment at the beginning of his infamous political treatise because he recognized that men are stubborn creatures of habit; hence‚ any ideological innovation is hindered by the fear of change. Nevertheless‚ Machiavelli ventured boldly into uncharted waters with the intention to repudiate the ideals of his predecessors. He calls into question all
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Niccolò Machiavelli thoroughly discusses the importance of religion in the formation and maintenance of political authority in his famous works‚ The Prince and The Discourses. In his writing on religion‚ he states that religion is beneficiary in the formation of political authority and political leaders must support and endorse religion in order to maintain power. However‚ Machiavelli also critiques corrupt religious institutions that become involved in politics and in turn‚ cause corruption in
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Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)‚ Italian historian‚ statesman‚ and political philosopher‚ whose amoral‚ but influential writings on statecraft have turned his name into a synonym for cunning and duplicity. Born in Florence on May 3‚ 1469‚ Machiavelli entered government service as a clerk and rose to prominence when the Florentine Republic was proclaimed in 1498. He was secretary of the ten-man council that conducted the diplomatic negotiations and supervised the military operations of the republic
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feared than loved. This is the second quality that Machiavelli gives advise that will make a good ruler. Every prince would want to be considered merciful‚ though he should be careful not to mismanage this clemency of his. Machiavelli point out how Cesare Borgia was cruel‚ yet he was able to provide peace and order to the Romagna. Therefore‚ no prince should mind being called cruel for what he does to keep his subjects united and loyal. Machiavelli believes that a prince should make examples of punishing
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yet at the same time preserve its citizens’ natural right to be free? The ideas from Niccolo Machiavelli‚ an Italian aristocrat‚ who published "The Prince" in 1513 for a Medici prince as a guideline on how to rule a country‚ gives a conservative approach to how one should govern. Henry David Thoreau’s "Civil Disobedience" published in 1849‚ offers a liberal approach on how one should be governed. Machiavelli stresses the importance of maintaining order while Thoreau suggests reform. Although their
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Throughout my reading of Machiavelli‚ a particular selection struck me as very interesting. This comes from Chapter 17 when Machiavelli states‚ “Here a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared‚ or the reverse. The answer is‚ of course‚ that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together‚ anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved. . . . Love endures by a bond‚ which men‚ being scoundrels‚ may
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Life is a power struggle. Throughout life‚ we continuously attempt to gain power over our peers. Marriage is no exception‚ and in Macbeth‚ by William Shakespeare‚ the pursuit of power between Macbeth and his wife is the impetus for a slew of horrific acts. Shakespeare initially characterizes the couple by their swapped gender roles. Where Macbeth appears spineless and impotent‚ his wife appears masculine. Macbeth attempts to gain power by assimilating himself to a life of sordid schemes. Lady Macbeth
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questions of politics and human nature in a unique way‚ but there are definite similarities between his work and the work of earlier philosophers. Hobbes’ political theory coincides with the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli‚ and yet differs in the theory of virtù. Hobbes follows Machiavelli in some important aspects of political theory‚ and yet expands upon or discards Machiavelli’s ideas in other important aspects. Both men agree that politics directly corresponds to the nature of man and that the
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Machiavelli never thought about how big of an impact and influence‚ The Prince would be. However‚ as history tells the work becomes a major part in the Renaissance and becomes one of the most influential works at that time‚ and becomes the most famous work from Machiavelli‚ in fact more famous and influential than all of his works put together. During the Renaissance‚ the reformation came from ideals or theories of political and social issues. Machiavelli played and participated in very involved
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Machiavelli and Hobbes To be successful‚ one must have the appearance of virtuousness‚ but not necessarily be virtuous. At least‚ this appears to be true according to Niccolo Machiavelli’s works. Machiavelli’s idea of the virtuous republican citizen may be compared to Hobbes’ idea of a person who properly understands the nature and basis of sovereign political power. Hobbes’ ideas seem to suggest that most anyone can claim rightful authority as there is a belief in God‚ and one can under Hobbes
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