Topic: Write an outline on Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince The author’s thesis. In other words, what is the author’s position or purpose for his article? What does the author believe is or will be the case now or in the future? How does the author make his case? What examples does he use to support […]
Instructions
Topic: Write an outline on Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince
The author's thesis. In other words, what is the author's position or purpose for his article? What does the author believe is or will be the case now or in the future?
How does the author make his case? What examples does he use to support his thesis?
Do you agree with the author's case and the examples he uses to support his thesis?
Give an example or examples of things that have occurred since the author published his paper that tend to prove or disapprove of the thesis.
Give examples of leaders who seem to have followed his advice. Which one is your favourite? Example: Napoleon
The Prince Review
Introduction: Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince is a political discourse on how to rule. Machiavelli outlines his opinions on the most effective way for a leader to acquire and maintain political power, validating his arguments through historical examples.
Thesis: As historical and contemporary figures show, The Prince advises a course of brutality and fear and remains a relevant guide in handling rebellion, crushing enemies, and amassing public approval.
Cesare Borgia
Machiavelli argues that for a prince to maintain rule, they need to know how to act as situations dictate (Talbott 84). Points to Borgia, his contemporary, as evidence.
Borgia conquers the Romagna province by ordering his cruel but efficient minister, Remirro, to crush rebellions, then executes Remirro for his harshness to win public approval (Winter 38).
Borgia understands how to use treachery and ruthlessness to crush enemies and win public acclaim.
Harry Truman
Truman’s strategy against the Japanese in World War II exemplifies a Machiavellian approach.
Machiavelli argues that enemies should be crushed completely to prevent them from seeking revenge (Machiavelli 15).
The dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki followed this principle to crush Japan and eliminate the possibility of retaliation (Goodwin).
Vladimir Lenin
Lenin was able to amass significant support from the Russian people.
The Prince argues it is better to be feared than loved (Machiavelli 98).
Lenin used Machiavellian strategies to manipulate the Russian people, building control out of popular fear.
Conclusion:The Prince delves into Machiavelli’s thoughts on the principles of sovereign government by examining real-life examples. Machiavellian beliefs have remained relevant in understanding how to acquire and maintain power in governance. His ideologies are still applied today, and his insights into power remain as accurate as they were at the time of the book’s writing.
Works Cited
Goodwin, Da’Niyah. “The Relevance of Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince to Contemporary Society and Politics.” The Odyssey, 14 Dec. 2017, www.theodysseyonline.com/the-relevance-Niccolo-Machiavellis-the-prince-contemporary-society-and-politics. Accessed 19 Feb. 2019.
Machiavelli, Niccolò. The Prince: The Original Classic. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
Talbott, Strobe, The Great Experiment: The Story of Ancient Empires, Modern States, and the Quest for a Global Nation. Simon and Schuster, 2009.
Winter, Yves. Machiavelli and the Orders of Violence. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
