The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, is a guide for one who wishes to rule a successful state. Machiavelli argues for the absolute right of a monarch to rule as a dictator. He believes that only a strong, authoritative leader can do what is best for the state. The people don’t know what is in their best interest, so it is up to the Prince to gain, maintain and expand the principality. In order for the Prince to uphold a powerful principality, he must use deceit and violence as well as fear to achieve power. Machiavelli justifies himself with this statement. “Wherefore if a Prince succeeds in establishing and maintaining his authority, the means will always be judged honourable and be approved by every one” (Machiavelli 47). He believes that a Prince’s reign relies completely with the goodness of the people and as long as the ruler has their support, he will be prosperous in preserving the principality, though he may be, on occasion, acting immorally.

In The Prince, Machiavelli mentions several times the inability of the people to decide things for themselves and that they basically do what is most common. This is apparent when he says, “For since men for the most par

Machiavelli addresses the issue of whether it is better to be loved or feared. He believes it better to be feared. His reasoning is that the fear of punishment is always effective. If a Prince allows his subjects to do as they please, a chaotic atmosphere arises and crime begins to harm the entire principality. In order to keep a state running efficiently, a ruler must keep his subjects away from committing crimes. By inducing fear, the subjects will respect their ruler and obey him. As long as the people of the principality commit to their ruler, they will live in harmony. This harmony can only be present if the fear is present.

Machiavelli’s ideal prince is only concerned with the paramount goal of leading a successful state. What leads to this goal is of no importance as long as the overall state is being maintained and the people are content. Deception, violence and fear are all important factors in a well-organized government that is displayed in The Prince.

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