As the centuries have passed and monarchies, as well as the Papal state, have matured, history has shown us the different need for new political systems based on the ideology and needs of the times. As in the case of Niccolo Machiavelli, his time period reflected a seemingly unceasing battle with unrest, dissent and disloyalty between the different kingdoms in Italy. Coupled with the ever-growing power of the Papacy, the need for a strong, central government became a necessity in the 16th century. Societal order and loyalty to one monarch were almost non-existent as States were constantly under

attack by different factions. These factions, or princes, were looking only to further their own power without regard for those that they meant to rule. In The Prince, Machiavelli stressed the need for order and loyalty, but his arguments were not aimed at the citizens of these lands, but at the monarchy of the time, the de' Medici family. It was his wish to set down a blueprint of how to manage the state efficiently while taking into consideration the nature of man.

Although not an advocate of violence, Kant did believe in the strong leadership qualities outlined in The Prince, as well as, the authors views on the need for civil order, loyalty and duty to the state. In fact, his fundamental notion is the idea of "duty". Kant's thoughts also lean towards the morality issues present during the times of both Machiavelli and Luther. Although a truly moral man would not need secular law to distinguish right from wrong, not all men act accordingly and with reason.

What is moral and immoral is purely subjective, but in order to differentiate between what is perceived as right and wrong, some sort of duty to a higher force must exist. That higher force can be God, but more practically it should be a strong central government. There must be a sense of duty to this entity, as well as a fear of repercussions if one fails in his duty to the state and the citizens of that state.

Some topics in this essay:
Thomas Hobbes, Prince Machiavelli, Immanuel Kant, Martin Luther, John Locke, According Locke's, According Luther, Consent Locke, Authority Obeyed, John Locke's, political power, political systems, martin luther, social contract, secular authority, thomas hobbes, 17th century, secular law, john locke, 16th century, laws set forth, ideas liberty freedom, strong central government,