... ability to enforce their will on unpredictable social situations. They do this through a combination of strong will, strength, and brilliant and strategic calculation. He admits that fortune is necessary for a prince's success, but Machiavelli expects a ruler to have the virt for the incipience and maintenance of a strong dominion. For a strong and stable government, a ruler must attain the qualities of ... into his theory. Machiavelli's argument is weakened by his disregard for what Viroli calls "unselfish philanthropy, and innate human nature to nurture and protect-. (Viroli 1998, 129)...

• Word Count: 3511
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 ... 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: "th...

• Word Count: 2744
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... modern political philosophy. The book itself helped set the foundations of European political philosophy for nearly 450 years to come. At first look, Machiavelli's logical guide for the preservation of a prince's power seems to be an amoral approach to politics. To some, it may even seem cruel because of Machiavelli's complete disregard for the plight of the common people. However, there ... can command the loyalty of such people shows that Machiavelli believes that human nature is intrinsically bad. However, this view is only a small example of the greatest fallacy in The Prince: Machi...

• Word Count: 2510
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... who, out of excessive mercy, permit disorders to continue, from which arise murders and plundering; for those usually harm the community at large, while the execution that come from the prince harm one individual in particular." Early acts of mercy that allow evil actions to continue run the danger of disrupting public order. While inflicting a little cruelty in the beginning will ... prevent further actions of similar deviant behavior. As a corollary to this Machiavelli addresses whether a prince should be loved or feared. He observes that it is ideal to be loved and feared at the same...

• Word Count: 3155
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... some promises might leave him vulnerable. He should also break his promises if the situation makes them become irrelevant. He later concludes that the prince should not use promises as a tool to rule with continued generalization, "But it is necessary to know well how to disguise this characteristic, ... people but avoid being despised and hated. He also thought that honesty should always be overlooked if it would benefit his throne. The prince should appear trustworthy, but also ruthless and place more importance upon the result than the action. This causes a great deal of controversy ...

• Word Count: 2654
• Approx Pages: 11