... viewpoints about the characteristics that a ruler should possess and second, it will show why Machiavelli's ideas are the most suitable in order to gain power and maintain a stable state. First, Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar and Catholic priest who was influential philosopher and theologist. He reinterpreted Aristotle's philosophy into Christian framework, and made it the base of Christian church ... bless the ruler in such way. For this reason, a ruler should not aim for a mere earthly reward, which are small and temporal, but for eternal goods, which last forever (Aqui...

• Word Count: 1797
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography

... government of one man, or of the better sort, or of the whole people; which by their more learned names are called monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. -The Commonwealth of Oceana Thomas Aquinas is another example of a great theorist and intellectual whose ideas have retained their worth down through time. This cross-pollination of ideas and concepts in political theory also happened within ... ...

• Word Count: 1857
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate