Political Science homework
Module 03 Discussion - Machiavelli - Prince or Discourses
Machiavelli's two best known works are The Prince and Discourses. Each offers good insight into the philosophy of Machiavelli. Based on these readings, in securing the state, to what extent should a prince (leader) be motivated by the happiness of the people? With specific examples, are current American leaders motivated by the happiness of the people?
Please make sure to respond to student’s post below to the questions above!!!
By Ms. Perez,
Niccolo’ Machiavelli, the father of modern politics and a known writer in political science and history, he described in his book, the prince, a dictatorial government, although most of the scholars highly criticized his work. He showed in his work the extent at which the happiness of the people motivates a leader or a prince. Under the totalitarian government, the leader persuades the people and influences them for their gain or benefit and happiness (Cloud Biography (Director), 2012).
According to Bennet,( 2015), Machiavelli advice the prince to remain in power and should avoid hatred from the people, further states that it is good to be feared or to be loved and people would respect the principality because it’s more difficult to lose. The leaders should not oversee current scandals but to look for solutions to future challenges to avoid troubles. The leader or the prince in occupied states, the people are allowed to live according to their laws, where friendship and power are dependent upon the state. Therefore, the kind of leadership is reached in favor of the peoples. So the prince should be either soft to the people or harsh (Machiavelli, 2003).
The people’s happiness has motivated few of American leaders; they include Lindbergh in 2003 with his conviction on the perception of the ‘evil.’ President George W. Bush who sort to bring the right government in the atmosphere of harmony and balance to attain happiness of his people and President Barak Obama, who motivated his people through his happiness. Some of this American leaders have gone as per Machiavellian advice to the prince to bring and maintain power in their states by either being soft or harsh for example Lindbergh was harsh on conviction.
Reference
Bennett, Z. (2015). Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince (1532). classics of strategy and diplomacy.
Cloud Biography (Director). (2012). Niccolo Machiavelli Biography [Motion Picture].
Machiavelli, N. (2003). The Prince.