Niccoli Machiaveli
In "The Qualities of the Prince" the author, Niccolo Machiavelli, generates an interesting question; do the desired ends justify the means used in order to achieve them? Machiavelli uses simple comparisons, subtle contradictions, and historical facts to support his view on this ethical issue. In modern society, if one can provide a positive outcome that is satisfying to all, others should not be concerned with the means which were taken in order to get there. The concept of a negative means ultimately establishing a positive outcome is a necessary technique used by any man of authority and is often the last resort of an ethical decision. One who holds any position of authority or rank understands the difficulty it takes in order to acquire satisfaction from his people; for they tend to be placed on a higher level and therefore become judged by their actions. Machiavelli uses several examples and techniques to portray what qualities a prince must maintain to keep his empire pleased while at the same time perform the dirty deeds required for success. The Author discusses six topics filled with historical facts to prove that the ends ultimately do justify the means used in accomplishing them. On the issue of
Regardless of their true intentions, these politicians "manipulate the minds" (Machiavelli 46) of their voters in order to appear pleasing to the majority and thus win the election. In a world where corruption controls character only the strong survive. Although not every politician keeps his promises or obtains the beliefs they campaign under, Machiavelli reminds us that "it is not necessary for a prince to have all of the above-mentioned qualities, but is very necessary for him to appear to have them" (47). For instance when a political election occurs every politician appears to obtain promises for every organization and shared beliefs toward every different viewpoint. Therefore, a prince should always be armed and never get lost in peacetime; this will maintain his authority and ensure his success in warfare. Without several of Roosevelt's political programs that merely appeared to be honest the United States may have never succeeded the world's worst economic downturn. Granted, use of a negative means to establish a positive goal may not be morally right, however it does justify one's accomplishment. The author pursues this idea of eternal warfare and supports it by comparing an unarmed man to an armed man; "being disarmed makes you despised" (Machiavelli 38) for one who is armed will never obey the man without a sword. A prince's duty concerning military matters is straightforward, he should act as though warfare is always present, in fact, "in peacetime he must train himself more than in time of war" (Machiavelli 38). For example, in the early twentieth century Franklin Roosevelt established several programs that manipulated the American people in order to rid the great depression. For "you become either poor and despised or, in order to escape poverty, rapacious and hated" (Machiavelli 43). The author states that a successful prince "should not stray from the good, but should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands" (Machiavelli 47). As Machiavelli discusses his view on a prince's reputation he points out a few key qualitites that can be found in modern political leaders, one of which is the idea that manipulation can lead to a positive outcome . Not only does a position of power demand knowledge on manipulation and resources to satisfy constituents, but it also requires that he protect his land from warfare, for war should be his one and only profession.
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