Machiavelli
Practically nothing is known of Nicolo Machiavelli before he became a minorofficial in the Florentine Government. His youth, however, was passedduring some of the most tumultuous years in the history of Florence. He born the year that Lorenzo the Magnificent came to power, subverting thetraditional civil liberties of Florence while inaugurating a reign ofunrivaled luxury and of great brilliance for the arts. He was twenty-fiveat the time of Savonarola's attempt to establish a theocratic democracy,although, from the available evidence, he took no part in it. Yet throughhis family, he was closer to many of these events than many Florentinecitizens. The Machiavelli family for generations had held public office,and his father was a jurist and a minor official. Machiavelli himself,shortly after the execution of Savanarola, became Secretary of the SecondChancery, which was to make him widely known among his contemporaries as By virtue of his position Machiavelli served the "Ten of Liberty and who sent their own ambassadors to foreign powers, transacted business withthe cities of the Florentine domain, and controlled the military
This organization, the UnitedNations, still stands as testimony to the belief that the closest definitionof violence is the breakdown of communication. Finally, his efforts bore no fruit when the troops of EmperorCharles V sacked Rome. And that is wasthrough this combination of vices and virtues that the well-being of anation rested. But, having provided a workable background for this man's work, I seek todiscover whether the laws of the past on the rule of kingdoms still holds tothe test, or whether it has been replaced, either for good or for temporarytenure. In reality, the Princeprovided a clear and objective historical perspective on actions thatalready were implemented by governments and rulers for many generations. The question of modern times is whether, against thebackdrop of national interests and the concepts of principalities mentionedso often in this work, has globalization and the decrease in the sovereigntyof definitive countries and governments made obsolete the personal traitsreferred to in the Prince? As Socrates stated, the study of philosophy isno less an important matter than how we ought to live, so then this work ofMachiavelli would seem to be a matter of how man should govern. The crux of the issuein Macheavelli's writings centers on the belief that somewhat heartless andmalevolent rulers are preferred by their people more so than a mercifulleader who fails to provide the domestic tranquility necessary for a goodlife in the realm. " While this may notbe considered the Judeo-Christian methodology of how best to live one'slife, the similarities between these words and what the population at largein many countries saw on a daily basis is barely discernable. On release from his dungeon, Machiavelli with his wife and children, retiredto a small farm not far from Florence. The issues of liberality andmeanness, cruelty and clemency, integrity, and whether the leader shouldaspire to be hated by his subjects are debated and questioned as to theirimpact on the population. And as I knowthat many have written on this point, I expect I shall be consideredpresumptuous in mentioning it again, especially as in discussing it I shalldepart from the methods of other people. His attempts to prove his talents to the new rulerswere ineffectual. On the subject of cruelty and clemency Machiavelli advocates that allrulers should strive to be considered clement, but not at the expense oflosing their control of the realm. During his diplomatic career Machiavelli enjoyed one outstanding success. Then when other countries seek the samerecognition, India and Pakistan, the rules are changed by the status quo.
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Acceptance Essays
