Machiavelli’s “The Prince” was a very detailed, written account as to what the perfect leader or, in this case, prince should be. According to the Florence native, a true “prince” should be ruthless and not afraid to shun moral obligations in order to maintain his power. He should be inwardly frugal while outwardly appearing generous to the people he rules over. Even though he must be ruthless in his leadership, he should also give the impression that he is a just ruler. A true Prince, he stated, must be like a lion and a fox. He must be able to scare away those who threaten his power and he must have the cunning to keep his power. After extensive research on old and new rulers from all around the world, one modern leader seems to fit Machiavelli’s prince down to the letter. That man is the infamous Russian president, Vladimir Putin Putin is a ruthless leader that has been able to successfully maintain control over his military and political power. When he appears to the public, he preserves that horrible, strong masculinity. He makes sure that he does not appear weak in front of the masses; there are not even many pictures when he is smiling. He seeks to strengthen Russia’s military power and hopefully restore the old pride in Mother Russia. According to Machiavelli, it is important for a ruler to be able to win over his people by entertaining them. …show more content…
I remember watching the Sochi Winter Olympics of 2014, and seeing the pride on all of the Russian athlete’s faces whenever they had seen Putin was watching the event they were performing in. I specifically remember one of the Russian figure skaters thanking Putin for being such a good leader of his country. A good example of Putin’s ability to be a “prince”, is what took place in Crimea. Machiavelli states countless times that the signature of a good ruler is the ability to control an effective military, while also holding the hearts and love of his people in his hands. He must be loved and feared at the same time. Crimea was a perfect example of this paradox. Putin ingeniously waited until the end of the Sochi Olympics, in which he appeared numerous times to the delight of his people as stated above, and began to “win the hearts” of his people. He also waited patiently for the Crimean’s to start voicing their opinions about the issue of separatism while the Ukrainian capital was in disorder. Then, he brazenly launched his military power towards the region which displayed the army’s might and power. After, he used propaganda to show the welcoming atmosphere of the Crimean’s and their happy faces at the Russian’s arrival to gain the support and adoration of his people. It was like he was saying, “Hey, look at me. Yes, I may have used my military to force my way in, but look how better the people are for it.” Putin also has the nobility of Russia under his thumb. He converses with the rich and powerful in order to become more powerful. Many believe that he was even playing the part of a puppet master by pulling and tugging at the strings of the previous Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, whom Putin eventually came to replace. So by tying himself in with the president of Russia, the noblest of the nobles, while Putin himself was the Prime Minister, he basically sealed the amount of power one man could have in Russia for himself. He controlled Russia. Now, the current question is, how in the world did this man avoid the hatred of the people he governed? The answer is simple- propaganda. As mentioned previously, when Putin invaded Crimea, he showed the “happy” Crimean faces at the arrival of Russian soldiers. Was this truly the case, though? Were the Crimean’s really that happy about the Russian military invading their space? Is that really what they wanted? Another reason as to why the Russians love Vladimir Putin so much is basically for the same reason that the German’s loved Hitler during World War II. Russia has been unlucky with its leaders in the past thirty or so years, so when Putin came to power, things started to look up for Russia. Russia has changed from the chaotic, open free-for-all that it was under Boris Yeltsin. Russia’s economy has improved. Russia’s military has improved. Its place in the international system has improved, and, much to the fear and caution of the United States and other Western states, Russia has grown to become a real player in international politics. Does Putin model his leadership style after Machiavelli’s “The Prince”?
Though he has never commented on the book itself, it is apparent that his ruling style is a reflection of the books basic conceptions. Everything said by Machiavelli is represented inside of Putin and his country. Putin is both a lion and a fox. His country has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with, mirroring the lion. Putin blasts propaganda out of his ears and he is very clever about when and where he plants such images and articles. He is fierce, clever, and patient. I cannot think of a better example of Machiavelli’s ideal
“Prince.”
In the many sections Niccolo Machiavelli writes he constantly compares to extreme qualities, one of which is ideal, the other real. These extremes include love(ideal) vs fear, clemency(ideal) vs cruelty, generous(ideal) vs stingy, and integrity(ideal) vs lying. In comparing these different traits Machiavelli highlights the merits of opposing characteristics and (specifically)when it is effective to act in certain ways. He argues that a balance of both are vital as to prevent a prince from dipping too far into a pool of inescapable extremism. The following excerpts display the author’s contrast-centered style: “ Thus, it's much wiser to put up with the reputation of being a miser, which brings you shame without hate, than to be forced—just
Machiavelli’s, “The Prince” is the ideal book for individuals intending to both govern and maintain a strong nation. Filled with practical advice, he includes numerous religious references to support his claims. He devotes a chapter within the book to speak about the ancient founders of states. In the chapter called, “On new principalities that are acquired by one’s own arms and by virtue”, Machiavelli discussed the importance of a prince to have their own talent in governing a nation, rather than having relied on fortune to rule. The latter is a risk no leader should take and he cited past leaders as a guide for both the current and future princes.
Machiavelli believes that a government should be very structured, controlled, and powerful. He makes it known that the only priorities of a prince are war, the institutions, and discipline. His writings describes how it is more important for a prince to be practical than moral. This is shown where he writes, "in order to maintain the state he is often obliged to act against his promise, against charity, against humanity, and against religion" (47). In addition, Machiavelli argues that a prince may have to be cunning and deceitful in order to maintain political power. He takes the stance that it is better for the prince to be feared than loved. His view of how a government should run and his unethical conduct are both early signs of dictatorship.
The person that closely embodied Machiavelli’s “The Prince” was Adolf Hitler. There is more to Adolf Hitler than everyone usually knows. Besides from being one of the most hated people in the history of the world, he had the characteristics of a good leader. The correlation between him, and Machiavelli’s perspective on what a good prince/leader is supposed to be is extremely similar. It is as if Hitler Studied “The Prince” before he began to pursue his rule over Germany. There are several ideas that are presented, to prove this comparison plausible.
Our current political system seems to be built around Machiavelli’s principles on how to obtain and gain political power. We must take into account that Machiavelli’s “Qualities of a Prince” associates more to government officials and those in political power instead of pertaining to the common people; he divides the concepts of political prosperity and morality. American politicians are encompassed with Machiavellianism, a “cynical disregard for morality and focus on self-interest and personal gain.” We allow this to occur for some particular psychological reason because we’ve become convinced that there is a differentiation between politicians lying to us and lying for us. According to Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons, “I think most presidential
Machiavelli?s model for his ideal prince was Cesare Borgia, also known as Duke Valentino and son of Pope Alexander VI. He believed Cesare Borgia possessed all the qualities of a prince destined to rule and maintain power in his state. He believed that politics has a morality of its own. There is no regard of justness or unjustness, of cruelty or mercy, of approval or humiliation, which should interfere with the decision of defending the state and preserving its freedom. Therefore, the ruler/prince's single responsibilit...
Niccolo Machiavelli lived in Florence, Italy in the 1400’s. The country of Italy was divided into city-states that had their own leaders, but all pledged alliance to their king. In time in which great leaders were needed in order to help the development of a city-state and country, Machiavelli had a theory that man needed a leader to control them. In his book The Prince, he speaks of the perfect leader.
In 1513, an Italian politician by the name of Niccolo Machiavelli distributed, though privately, a political treatise called The Prince. This treatise was, essentially, a guide on how to effectively rule one's country. It's important beforehand to define exactly what a Machiavellian is, before describing one. A Machiavellian is a leader who, through his power and influence, works toward the common good of his people. This can be done through fear, through deceit, even through manipulation. It is important to understand the main principle of a Machiavellian; the end justifies the means. The end being the common good of his people. Vladimir Putin is a Machiavellian in the ways he retains power, institutes reform, and executes economic recovery domestically; and also in the ways he manages international affairs, such as the issues with Syria, Snowden, and the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Through his many years of experience with Italian politics Machiavelli wrote “The Prince”; a how-to guide for new rulers. We are given descriptions of what a leader should do to effectively lead his country. A leader should be the only authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy to serve his best interests. These interests are gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. Machiavelli’s idea is that a ruler should use a variety of strategies (virtues) to secure his power. Machiavelli lists five virtues that a ruler should appear to have; being compassionate, trustworthy, generous, honest and religious. A ruler should possess all the qualities considered good by other people.
Through his work, The Prince, Machiavelli goes into detail about the characteristics a prince should possess in order to be successful. His advice stems mainly from his view on human nature and his interest in protecting the state. Based on his principles, Machiavelli would oppose Beowulf’s method for ruling and propose suggestions on how to change his ways and become even greater through dominance and fear.
In 1532 The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli was published in Florence. From there, even though it was put on the Popes Index librorum prohibitorum, 1it managed to reach a wide swath of the European population and influence countless heads of state. Even though not officially translated into English until the 1640's, many of the people around the Tudors at the time, and even the husband of Queen Mary I, King Phillip II, were in some way exposed to the absolutist ruling style of Machiavelli. With people like Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Thomas Cromwell and other close advisors to the King/ Queen, The Influence of The Prince reached the British Isles long before it was ever translated into English.
In The Prince, Machiavelli separates ethics from politics. His approach to politics, as outlined in The Prince, is strictly practical. Machiavelli is less concerned with what is right and just, and instead with what will lead to the fortification of the government and the sustainment of power. Machiavelli believed that a ruler should use any means necessary to obtain and sustain power. He says, “…people judge by outcome. So if a ruler wins wars and holds onto power, the means he has employed will always be judged honorable, and everyone will praise them” (Machiavelli, 55). According to Machiavelli, the ends of an action justify the means (Machiavelli, 55). His motivation for these views in The Prince was the reunification of the Italian city-states (Machiavelli, 78-79). Machiavelli wanted Italy to return to its glory of the Roman Empire (Machiavelli 78-79). Some of the beliefs of Machiavelli could be perceived as evil and cruel, but he found them necessary. Machiavelli was not concerned with making people happy. His purpose was outcome and success, and in his opinion, the only way to be successful was to be realistic. These views of Machiavelli could classify him as one of the earliest modern
Niccoló Machiavelli claims in “The Qualities of the Prince” that a prince must have certain qualities that will allow him to seize and maintain his power as a ruler. Machiavelli asserts that these qualities will guarantee the ruler to be able to govern his subjects effectively. According to him, a prince must study the art of war, must understand generosity and to what extent he must be generous to be effective, must choose to either be loved or feared, and be able to keep his word to his citizens according to the situation. These qualities can still apply in today’s politics, and will be useful for a modern time politician as long as they are used carefully.
... to the times of kings and princess, however it must be noted that the underlying human emotions and their motivations can only be dealt with decisiveness and deep plotting. The concepts discussed are applicable to all leaders and politicians holding offices. Bottom line is, some things never changes. Even though a lot has changed, principles of Machiavelli’s Prince are adapted and used widely yet secretly in a complex world of growth and prosperity with a greater demography and geography.
Considering the principles of Machiavelli, one of the best examples of a modern day Prince would be President Donald Trump. The United States rarely has seen such a ruthless or devious politician that exemplifies the traits Machiavelli admired. One of President Trump’s downfalls is his need for public affirmation, in which Machiavelli would warn him that it is safer to be feared than to be loved. Though most leaders desire to be both feared and loved, it is the leaders that are feared that are more powerful. As with any political campaign, there is going to be mud-slinging.