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Niccolo Machiavelli was born into a time of political upheaval in Italy. ... Machiavelli was witness as the Medici rule was originally overthrown by Savonarola, who set up a true Florentine Republic. ... Machiavelli became secretary of this new Republic, and was considered an important and distinguished diplomat. ... All Republicans were ousted, and Machiavelli himself (despite continuous appeals to the Medici family) was imprisoned and tortured, and eventually exiled to his country estate at San Casciano. It was during this time of exile that Machiavelli, desperate to return to Italian politics, wrote many of his principle works, including The Prince.
The Prince is the text from which my source is taken. Its purpose was actually to gain the favour of the Medici government, in hopes of Machiavelli returning to Italy’s politics. The source itself features an excellent indication of Machiavelli’s unique innovation regarding politics. Machiavelli was the first to suggest that politics and ethics were mutually exclusive in a unified state with solid leadership. ... Machiavelli portrayed men as they were, rather than how they ought to be. ... In Machiavelli’s eyes, the main goal of politics was maintaining, increasing and preserving power. ... On the issue of whether it is better to be loved than feared, or vice versa, Machiavelli states that: “My view is that it is desirable to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of them has to be lacking, it is much safer to be feared than loved.” Using this insight, Machiavelli in The Prince describes how one would be best to go about achieving and maintaining power. ... Machiavelli believed that the only important skill that counted in achieving and maintaining power was calculation, and if a ruler made one miscalculation (i. ...
As mentioned above, the historical setting of the era of Machiavelli was one characterized by its political instability. ... By 1498 Florence was under new rule as a Republic, and Machiavelli had emerged as a Florentine servant; an important and dignified diplomat. This position, whilst holding prestige during the second Republic, ultimately became Machiavelli’s downfall, as no government following dared to trust him. ... Machiavelli remained desperate to remain a staple figure in Italy’s politics, and he put much effort forth into gaining the favour of the Medici’s. ... Even this did not deter Machiavelli from propositioning the Medici government, but once again his efforts were wasted. ... Machiavelli’s first-hand experience of Italy’s politics greatly influenced his writing, and he felt he had seen enough to justify what he felt a good ruler would constitute.
The source within the textbook is a very famous excerpt taken from the 17th chapter of The Prince. ... Machiavelli believes it safer, as, in his theory, all men are wicked. ... Many would argue that Machiavelli means what he says literally, as his book promotes the likes of would-be tyrants and dictators. However, using his own grim assessments of humanity (which may not entirely be too far off, given the experiences of many Italians in the centuries preceding, and including, Machiavelli’s politically unstable one) his argument could be seen as a logical one. ... Machiavelli does not condone cruelty for the mere sake of it, only for the progression of power. ... In the full version of The Prince Machiavelli makes it more clear to his audience why, in fact, one who relies on only keeping his promises will be destroyed: “Experience shows that in our times the rulers who have done great things are those who have set little store by keeping their word, being skillful rather in cunningly confusing men; they have got the better of those who have relied on being trustworthy.
Approximate Word count = 2714
Approximate Pages = 10.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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