The source within the textbook is a very famous excerpt taken from the 17th chapter of The Prince. It states that a good ruler should prefer to be feared than loved. Machiavelli believes it safer, as, in his theory, all men are wicked. They are ungrateful, fickle, feigners and dissemblers, avoiders of danger, eager for gain. He believes that as long as the ruler is of use to them, they will obey. The second, however, that the ruler is not of use to them, they will betray him in the blink of an eye. Love attaches men with a feeling of obligation, but since men are wicked, when their interest is at stake, they will break these ties of obligation immediately. Fear binds men because they are afraid of punishment, and this tie is much stronger. It is then in their selfish interest to obey, and avoid the pain and punishment. Fear ensures more thoroughly and more consistently that the people will be subordinate, and this is necessary for a ruler’s one, main goal, as have already been assessed; he believes that power is the only viable goal a ruler should have. Taking this into account, it gives a whole new perspective on this very debate of love vs. fear. 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. The prime goal of the leader is power. If one is to be powerful, it is to command those under him to obey. People will disobey if circumstances warrant, this cannot be contested. So between kindness and cruelty, love and fear, the latter has to be more favorable for the sake of preserving power. Machiavelli does not condone cruelty for the mere sake of it, only for the progression of power.

The source then goes on to speak about mercenaries, or the bought support. He has a clear dislike of mercenaries in both the source excerpt and in The Prince. He believes them to be disunited, undisciplined, and treacherous; weak and cowardly when confronted by determined enemies. Machiavelli states very boldly that: “the present ruin of Italy has been caused by nothing else than the reliance over so many years on mercenary armies.” The source then begins to speak about hatred. Machiavelli fears one ought not to be hated, and feels that it is quite possible to be both feared and not hated. A ruler has two worries, according to Machiavelli. The first is an internal threat concerning, his subjects, the second, an external threat involving foreign powers. A ruler ought not to be hated for the reason of his first worry. If his subjects detest him, he is susceptible to secret plotting and mutiny, and therefore must keep the people satisfied with him if he is to maintain order, and overall, his power.

The final topic of the excerpt in the source has to do with the second, or external, worry. The source states that it is absolutely essential to be thought cruel as the head of an army; as keeping an army united and ready for action is impossible if one does not have such a reputation. This is especially imperative as a good army was considered the very foundation of the state. Staying in power is always the number one goal of a ruler and Machiavelli believed that if one maintained a reputation of cruelty, no one should think of lying to him, or scheming to trick him. A ruler who succeeded in creating such an image around himself would enjoy a fine reputation, and it would be difficult to attack or plot against him.

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.

Some topics in this essay:
Prince Machiavelli, San Casciano, Italy Prince, Machiavelli Italy’s, Prince Prince, Republic Savonarola, Machiavelli Prince, Third Republic, Republic Machiavelli, Niccolo Machiavelli, gain favour, characterized instability, preserving power, 16th century, main goal, medici family, goal ruler, maintaining power, favour medici’s, italian politics, favour medici’s medici’s, gain favour medici’s, maintain solid unified, eventually exiled country, achieving maintaining power,