Modern Day Machiavellism
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Politics and Activism

Modern Day Machiavellism

The ideal ruler....crafty. schemer, despotic!!!!

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Modern Day Machiavellism
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Niccolo Machiavelli was the writer of ā€œThe Princeā€. Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy on May 3, 1469 and he was a writer, philosopher, and a diplomat. The ideal man, according to Machiavelli, was one who would prove to be intelligent and clever, as well as one who displayed great skills to achieve his desires by deceitful and crafty ways. Therefore, the name Machiavelli became synonymous with words such as trickster, schemer, devious, one who has no morals or ethics, and one who is without scruples and is insensitive to right or wrong conduct.

Machiavelli wrote ā€œThe Princeā€ in 1513 and it was first published in 1543. Machiavelli prescribes an ideal leader as one who is crafty, devious, a schemer who is always plotting evil plans in order to bring about events that profit him in the end. "The Prince" would be an exceptional leader, one who has succeeded to gain the respect and servitude of his army, servants, and allies. The Prince would also be a brazen and ambitious ruler, one who displayed no shame and would remain bold during difficult and embarrassing situations. He would also not have any or, if any, few friends as ā€œMachiavelliā€™s Prince is an isolated figure, cut off from a social world he must nonetheless know how to control if he is to seize and maintain power". Machiavelli also advises the prince as to whom to swindle and double-cross, whom to seek information from, and cautions him to stay away from those who would give him insincere praises in an effort to get favors from the prince. This theory Machiavelli proposes to the prince is one of pure deceit.

It was with these principles that Machiavelli wrote "The Prince" and in it, Machiavelli seems to imply that princes become successful by being dishonest in their affairs and by not keeping their word. They have the ability to outwit and outsmart others who are known to practice moral principles. In "The Prince", Machiavelli writes about Cesare Borgia and described the use of Sovereign power that enabled him to be qualified as a leader. Sovereign power is a prerequisite element in Machiavelliā€™s work and is contrasted with despotic power. Machiavelli suggests that for princes to be successful and effective at ruling, they should at first have established Sovereign power.

Having gained control of Sovereign power would enable the prince to be able to rule, maintain, and command his states. The prince is only able to achieve this Sovereign power if he had to first fight to gain it. This he would have done by having conquered lands and people without any special favors or fortunes being granted him to do it. He would literally have to fight to amass his wealth and build his kingdom instead of having it handed to him on a silver platter. Such was the case of Cesare Borgia, who became a prince because his father, Pope Alexander VI, actually gave his son his own fortune and good name. Therefore, his son did not exactly carve out his own identity or make a name for himself, but instead relied on his fatherā€™s help to conquer and hold onto the kingdoms and possessions he fought for.

Despotic power is typical of one who rules with tyranny. A despotic ruler is one who is feared and uses his power to control and dictate the lives of the people under his rule. This ruler displays ruthlessness and his brutality forces those around to stand in awe and admiration of him.

The despotic prince would therefore be very ambitious and eager to make a name for himself, regardless of the lives he would hurt or endanger. The despot would further display brutal tendencies in an effort to keep those under his leadership in order and under control. When contrasted with despotic power, sovereign power can be said to be the power that proves it is able self-Ā­govern without outside interference and commands the authority of its allies, while despotic power seeks to affirm itself through brutal actions and seeks to acquire all power for himself only. In contribution of this information, one should be at liberty to make comparisons and draw conclusions as it relates to the integrity, character, and personality of our modern day politicians.

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