the prince
Machiavelli's Guide to Political SuccessNiccolo Machiavelli presents the concepts of governing a state that is radically different from that of the accepted practices of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the elite authority determining every aspect of how the state operates, and situates in effect, a policy, which would serve his best interests, as a politician. These interests, explained quite eloquently in this work, are how to gain, maintain, and most importantly, retain political power (17). The writings of Machiavelli can be summed up in one sentence is "The ends justify the means" (17). His understanding of human nature was a complete antithesis of what current theorists, in his time, believed and taught. In short, his work then would be tantamount to modern society's Catcher in the Rye. A novel that is outrageous, yet intellectually and socially provocative. His detestable view of human nature was appalling, adding to the detestable general sentiment of his work. In his era, the information that Machiavelli compiled was shocking, however, one worthy point remains. He told the unadulterated truth about how the political system works, and how to exploit it, criticism consequences and be dammed.
He must be independent, as becoming contingent on friendship leads to self-destruction. If you need to give something that is yours, do it economically, and with prudence. Moreover, he describes that a Prince must be prepared to take the blame for safeguarding the state (18). He explains that in order to establish a rapport of being philanthropic, one must have an opulent lifestyle, therefore jeopardizing the economic viability of his constituencies. One is that a Prince must know where his priorities lie. Generosity is commensurate with economic feasibility. Namely, wether a Prince should act generously and spread wealth around, or to act tightfisted, in order to preserve the wealth of the state (18). That would result in widespread dissent, and hatred towards the Price, therefore causing a loss of power amongst his constituencies, and resulting in the penultimate event until the demise of his reign. It is better to be known as a parsimonious Prince, which brews ignominy, rather than extravagant and despised (18). A recent instance is when Vice President Cheney exhibited this quality, after being questioned about the possible military interdiction of an airliner destined for the US Capitol, or the White House. In the event of such, a Prince must pursue extended financial resources in the forms of increased taxes, therefore creating rebellion among his constituents (18). The other side of the coin is that should a Prince act stingy, how would it influence his standing with his subjects (18). In a sense, it is a catch 22, nevertheless, the answer, Machiavelli explains, is simple. He goes on to describe that men are capricious individuals, to which their loyalty oscillates unpredictably. A prince must give generously, and yet keep fiscal spending under control.
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