The Prince as Foundation of Modern Day Politics :: Machiavelli Prince Essays

The Prince as Foundation of Modern Day Politics   In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is drastically distinct from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every looking of the state and put in effect a policy to serve well his crush interests. These interests were gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. His understanding of human nature was a fill out contradiction of what humanists believed and taught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt religion was not necessary but in fact stood in the personal manner of an effectively governed principality. Though in some cases Machiavellis suggestions seem harsh and disgraceful one must remember that these views were derived out of concern Italys unstable political condition. Though humanists of Machiavellis time believed that an individual had much to offer to the well cosmos of t he state, Machiavelli was quick to mock human nature. Humanists believed that An individual only grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally- through participation in the life of the state. Machiavelli generally distrusted citizens, stating that ...in time of adversity, when the state is in need of its citizens there are few to be found. Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of the citizens and advises the Prince that ...because men a wretched creatures who would not go along their word to you, you need keep your word to them. Machiavelli did not feel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens. This suggestion, once again, serves the Princes best interests. If a prince cannot be both feared and love, Machiavelli suggests, it would be better for him to be feared buy the citizens within his own principality. He makes the abstract that men are, ...ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit magical spell you treat them w ell they are yours. He characterizes men as existence self centered and not willing to act in the best interest of the state,and when the prince is in danger they turn against him.  Machiavelli reinforces the princes need to be feared by stating Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself loved than to one who makes himself feared. The bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures they are, break when it is to their returns to do so but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective.