Machiavelli 2 Essay Research Paper MachiavelliThe works

Machiavelli 2 Essay, Research Paper

Machiavelli

The works and views of Nicol Machiavelli (1469-1527) have been extensively analyzed since he first introduced them. Indeed, Machiavelli s influence on politics has been so great that he is accredited with having influenced major historical figures who were never even acquainted with his works. One of his works, The Prince, is probably second only to the Bible as being one of the most debated texts in world history.

Machiavelli is revered as having established the foundation for a scientific evaluation of politics and for having stimulated just about every political view available to the Western world. Conversely, The Prince has been strongly criticized for its apparently amoral political recommendations which have produced dire consequences when applied to the real world. However, it can be argued that The Prince, viewed in proper context, can also exact positive moral implication. Both of these findings are most properly presented in conjunction with one of Machiavelli s lesser known works, The Discourses, and in understanding the intentions of Machiavelli himself.

By reading only The Prince, one gets a sense that Machiavelli was a proponent of amoral action and absolute power. The Prince has certainly become known as a perfect eulogy to tyranny. In The Prince, Machiavelli analyzes reasons for the success and demise of a centralized political power and provides recommendations for political survival of that centralized power. The absolutist theories of The Prince have lead the political world to implement ideology such as the end justifies the means during times of crisis. However, in an attempt to justify their actions, political leaders have forgotten that Machiavelli s views were constructed from a degenerate 16th Century infrastructure. Machiavelli s analysis is reflective of the lack of governmental infrastructure which prevailed during his time, which included an absence of the notion of a unified Italy. In terms of the prevailing condition, the only way to retain control over a principality in constant danger of being stripped from its resources was to follow the guidance of The Prince.

The notion that Machiavelli as amoral advisor to the tyrants also seemingly contradicts the moralistic guidance he offered in The Discourses. The realization in reviewing The Discourses is that Machiavelli was truly a visionary, and a proponent of high moral sensibility. The Discourses contains an enlighten view of a republic system which would eventually lead to a unified Italy. It was directed towards teaching the youths of his time about the basic principles and history of a republic.

The vision which Machiavelli had regarding a Republic, or Nation State, present in all of his works, especially The Discourses, fueled his intense desire to participate in its development. Machiavelli was also conscious that he had discovered the fundamental laws of politics through a form of scientific analysis, and wished to share his findings with others. But Machiavelli was also a practical man. It was his practical sense which lead him to write The Prince in the first place. Machiavelli realized that in order to successfully promote a vision of the fundamental analysis of science, and to promote a virtuous society, through guidance contained in works such as The Discourses, he would need to secure a political position. This would avail him to properly conduct his analysis, and provide him with the proper sphere of influence. This meant securing employment from the de Medici government. Machiavelli knew that he would need to appeal to the de Medici s sense of absolute power. Therefore, he interrupted his work on The Discourses in 1513 and wrote The Prince to gain favor of the de Medici regime. After presenting The Prince to Lorenzo de Medici in 1515, and securing a governmental position, Machiavelli completed his more preferred work, The Discourses, in 1517.

It is easy to come to the conclusion that The Prince, as it was used to secure public office, is merely an attempt to impress those in power, and deviates from Macchiavelli s original virtuous purposes. What is overlooked is that The Prince, while it appealed to the corrupt governmental figures of Machiavelli s time, and was used to justify the most macabre of behavior, was a work intended for application only by those leaders virtuous enough to wield absolute power on the infrequent occasions which were warranted. With this realization, the true morality this particular writing can unfold, and its placement in terms of the advise offered in The Discourses can be fully understood.

The Prince is an amazing example of Machiavelli s lucid, logical and clear political thought. The thoughts were intended for application by those having the integrity which Machiavelli presumes a proper leader ought to have. The ultimate objective for a leader, which is to retain his power, necessitates that those who threaten him and his power must be dealt with using an amoral objectivity, one detached from virtue. Virtue and morality are therefore vital components of a leader, for only the most virtuous can carefully apply an objective handling of those opposed to him. Virtue in a leader is of utmost importance, to ensure that he not destroy the very assets which make his kingdom valuable and prosperous — the population and their creative process, essential