Mussolini's Power In The Prince By Nicolo Machiavelli

When is cruelty ever justified? While it is a subjective topic, most would consider it as evil and inhuman. However, throughout The Prince, by Nicolo Machiavelli, another perspective of cruelty is introduced through the eyes of a prince. Machiavelli arouses a series of uncommon ideas and explanations on the certain pathways a leader should follow to become successful. Many of these ideas were present in the actions of an Italian dictator named Benito Mussolini. Mussolini rose to power through manipulation and force, making this Italian dictator the ideal Machiavellian leader. Despite his Machiavellian characteristics, Mussolini’s corrupted leadership led to a national outcry, and eventually to his very own demise.
Historically, Mussolini was infamous for betrayal. For the duration of his earlier life and career, Mussolini gained admiration from the public, speaking for the Socialist Party. Mussolini continued to gain power from the Socialist party until his desertion in 1914. He abandoned the Socialists to

advantageously prepare to harness the power of Italy for himself, and ultimately founded a political party called “The Fascists”. Several years after supporting this group, Mussolini’s ideals of Fascism transformed into what was the complete opposite of his earlier views of Socialism. (qtd. in Noteable 1) Mussolini’s ability to abandon others to rise to power exhibits his strategic and manipulative mind. Machiavelli supports this idea of betrayal for power because a leader should “not keep faith when the reasons that caused him to pledge it exist no longer” (pg 39). Mussolini’s hunger for power caused him to break loyalty to those he no longer needed. Though corrupted by power, Mussolini’s mastery of manipulation showcases how he was an ideal Machiavellian leader.
Despite his earlier efforts to restore order, Mussolini became uncontrollably corrupted by his own power in his later years.

He controlled the workers harshly in response to restoring order in the country. To remain in mastery, he suspended people’s freedom, destroyed all that dared to oppose him, and made himself dictator of Italy. (qtd. in History 2) Mussolini had to use brutal force and cruelty to stabilize his towering power over Italy. Because he was nearly overthrown by his own people, he had to take extended measures to continue his leadership. His ability to utilize his power for his own protection portrays what Machiavelli said “when they can rely on themselves and use force, then they are rarely endangered” (pg 33). Ironclad with the blood of his people, Mussolini’s brutal actions were ideally similar to the advice of Machiavelli, which presented him immediate success. However, the success he fought for crumbled into nothings in his later

career.
To illustrate, Mussolini led his country into three consecutive wars. The first war’s purpose was to generate a distraction from the economic depression that struck Italy. The second war was to create an alliance with Spain, which proved to be worthless, and the third war was to support Hitler and bring Italy into World War I. (qtd. in Biology 2) Pushing Italy into useless wars against the will of his people threw the nation into chaos. Although in full control, Mussolini broke one crucial Machiavellian rule; he provoked hatred within his own people. If Mussolini was not corrupted and had he kept his people satisfied, he would not had had this issue, as Machiavelli stated, “as he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches” (pg 41). However, this was not Mussolini’s case. Since Mussolini chose to ignore the wants and needs of his people, brought them misery, and broke his promises to build the nation, he was executed by his very own people in 1945. By breaking the Machiavellian rule of avoiding hatred, Mussolini fell to power and his demise.
Although following some Machiavellian rules, Mussolini was unsuccessful because he also broke some Machiavellian rules. Though Mussolini’s process of getting to power was ideal, his ruling of Italy nearly ruined the country. His manipulative intelligence allowed him to go as far as become dictator of Italy, while his forceful nature gave him protection from others seeking his power. Granted he provoked hatred within his own people, Mussolini’s actions were similar to course of actions Machiavelli supposed a ruler should take. Mussolini’s successes and failures showcase that Machiavelli’s advice to leaders applied to time periods both in his lifetime and hundreds of years later into recent times. Therefore, Mussolini was indeed a Machiavellian ruler.