Please read Chapters 15-19 of Machiavelli's The Prince (either pp. 84-104 of the Signet edition or at the link below).Add a comment or two here giving your impressions of Machiavelli. Try to say something that would help another students trying to prepare on essay on Renaissance achievements.
http://www.fordham.edu/HALSALL/basis/machiavelli-prince.html
Macchiavelli lives in Italy during hard times. He realizes by looking at the past that the traditional type of leaders and style of governing is not working. He believes that society needs to try something new. He believes a ruler would be more effective if they were to try a whole new set of values which he believes, if practiced with the proper interests of the state, would make better leaders. For example: 1) miserliness instead of generosity would safeguard the financial health of a government resulting in citizens more content with their tax load 2) fear rather than love of a leader because the idea of fear or punishment will be more effective on subjects than love and compassion 3) concerning spiritual values, he believes a leader should "act" virtuous but not necessarily be virtuous--ok, to be crafty and tricky or break promises when necessary 4) cruelty is manly in certain situations considered necessary. These types of ideas fit into the theme of the Renaissance as they are entirely new and different than was expected from leaders up to that time.
ReplyDeleteDarcy Mammenga
Michavelli believes princes are placed more hihgly and seem to be a little more imaginary. And they shouldn't be. Also things that we have recognized in history are done in mean ways. The rest seemed to have failed but because this leads to war. Michavelli thinks needs to change for a different style of governing. And that they shouldn't be loved or feared it should be both. If he isn't loved then he needs to avoid being hated.
ReplyDeleteMichavelli makes a comment that says " is it better to be loved than feared". He explains that there are a lot of mean people, and they have hurtful actions. He thinks things need to change or nothing will get better it will just keep getting worse. He thinks the only hope is if the people agree to try something to change what is happening. He also belives there needs to be a whole set of new rules and forget the old ones. If there were new rules people could start all over from fresh and society would be a better place.
ReplyDeleteThomasina Rohrbach
“A prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with five qualities. He may appear altogether merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and religious.” This gives me the impression that Macchiavelli is looking for new leaders and new standards to live by. The past has not worked for them and he is looking towards the future, this is important for leaders to do. He believes the new leader must have a new set of values, different from that of past leaders. Macchiavelli believes the past is past; they must continue to move in the direction of improvements and continue to build on what they already know. He believes these five characteristics can make great leaders.
ReplyDeleteNichole Anderson
Macchiavelli is an Italy diplomat and political philosopher at that time. His book The Prince helps the emperors to guide their members. This book is about how to exercise their power, courage and wisdom to fulfill their destiny as a leader, especially an emperor. Actually, He does not dismiss morality; instead, he politically defines “Morality”—as in the criteria for acceptable cruel action. First, he mentions meanness is better than liberality for an emperor to some extent. Emperor can defend himself against attacks, and is able to engage in enterprises without burdening his people by his economy and his sufficient revenues. Second, one should wish to be both loved and feared , if not, chooses be feared because it is much safer, men have more scruple in offending one who is feared than one who is beloved. Third, it is unnecessary for an emperor to have all the good qualities but has to appear to have them, also, be prepare for breaking the promise when necessary. Finally, he realizes that one should avoid being despised and hated. He must abstain to be rapacious, and to deprive of others possession and women. I agree with his theory, good results coming from evil actions to some extent.
ReplyDeleteRan Zhou