The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli, is one of the first
examinations of politics and science from a purely scientific and rational
perspective. Machiavelli theorizes that the state is only created if the
people cooperate and work to maintain it. The state is also one of man's
greatest endeavors, and the state takes precedence over everything else.
The state should be one's primary focus, and maintaining the sovereignty of
the state one's most vital concern. The state is founded on the power of
its military. Therefore, a strong military is vital to maintaining the
state. Machiavelli believes that men respect power, but they will take
advantage of kindness. He believes that when given the opportunity one
must destroy completely, because if one does not he will certainly be
destroyed. The prince should lead the military, and he has to be
intelligent. An effective politician can make quick and intelligent
choices about the problems that constantly arise before him. He must also
have virtue, which means he is strong, confident, talented, as well as
smart. A prince cannot be uncertain, because uncertainty is a sign of
weakness. Fortune controls half of human's actions, and man's will control
the other half. Virtue is the best defense for fortune, and virtue must be
used in order to keep fortune in check. The prince must take advantage of
situations based solely on if it is best for the state. He should choose
his decisions based on contemporary and historical examples. A prince
cannot consider whether his acts are moral or immoral, and he instead must
act in an unbiased manner for the state. Also, it does not matter how the
state achieves its goals, as long as these goals are achieved. Finally,
regardless of the personal morality involved, the prince should be praised
if he does good for the state and berated if he hurts the state.
Machiavelli's principles h...