Biography of Niccolo Machiavelli Essay - 860 Words

Biography of Niccolo Machiavelli Machiavelli was born in 1469, into an Italy, which was probably less feudal than any other European country at that time. Europe at this time was in a state of political upheaval. The Churchs power was in decline, losing its power as unifying government, Spain and France were pushing their way in Italy, and Italy itself was a melange of bickering city-states. This climate of political uncertainty greatly affected Machiavellis political theories. Machiavelli began his political career at the age of twenty-five. However, he did not achieve recognition until 1498 when he obtained a prestigious appointment to become secretary to the Council of Ten, An executive†¦show more content†¦He had a pessimistic view of men, describing them as wicked, fickle and selfish; They shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well, they are yours. They would shed their blood for you à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ but when you are in danger they turn against you believing that all men really wanted was power, money and glory. [Machiavelli, reprinted 1975, p.44.] Machiavelli believes that the state is only created if the people cooperate and work to maintain it. The state is also one of mans greatest endeavours, and it takes precedence over everything else. It should be ones primary focus, and maintaining its sovereignty ones most vital concern. The state is founded on the power of its military. Hence a strong military is important fo r its survival. Machiavellis book The Prince deals with the making of a society in which the people are corrupt. Machiavelli freely prescribes for the man who wishes to acquire power and glory in a corrupt republic by becoming a tyrant rather than a public-spirited reformer. [Bluhm, 1971, p.213.] Addressed to Lorenzo De Medici (the new ruler of Florence), The Princes aim is to tell a ruler how to become a good tyrant. According to Machiavelli a prince must posses the virtues that should have been present in a goodShow MoreRelatedBiography of and Principles Taught By Niccolo Machiavelli Essay1047 Words   |  5 PagesMachiavelli Essay: Question 1 Born in the 15th century, Niccolà ² Machiavelli was an Italian historian, politician, philosopher, diplomat and humanist. Following his career as an official in the Florentine Republic, Machiavelli was a founder of modern political science and political ethics. In the political treatise The Prince, written in 1532, Machiavelli outlines several key traits of a successful princedom such as; how to incorporate newly acquired provinces, the most successful way to conquer territoriesRead MoreEssay about Niccolo Machiavelli1653 Words   |  7 Pages According to legend, just before his death, Niccolo Machiavelli told his friends that had remained faithful to him up until the very end about a dream he had had. In his dream, he had seen a group of peasants, wretched and decrepit in appearance. He asked them who they were. They replied, ‘We are the saintly and the blessed; we are on our way to heaven.’ Then he saw a crowd of formally attired men, aristocratic and grim in appea rance, speaking solemnly of important political matters. Again, heRead MoreThe Life And Importance Of Machiavelli Essay1367 Words   |  6 PagesLife and Importance of Machiavelli â€Å"There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless† (Niccolà ² Quotes). Niccolà ² Machiavelli was one of the greatest influences on our world today. His research and philosophies explored new strategies and ways of thinking. Machiavelli was before his own timeRead MoreGrowth In The Prince And Jack Londons The Call Of The Wild985 Words   |  4 Pagescontrary direction or harmful continued difficulty and misfortune. The NY times article Do natural disasters stimulate economic growth?, Niccolo Machiavellis book, The Prince, and Jack London’s The Call of the Wild, provide strong affirmation that hardship leads to development. Adversity in Renaissance age Italy led two well educated men, Thomas More and Nicholo Machiavelli, to banter the need for religious , political, and social change in the 1500’s. Shown in Drake Bennetts article, 21st Century humankindRead MoreAnalysis Of Niccolo Machiavelli s The Prince 1625 Words   |  7 Pagesfifteenth century was a period known as the Renaissance, or the new birth, of many philosophers. One well-known Renaissance thinker, Niccolo Machiavelli, was one of those philosophers whose political views caused an uproar during earlier centuries. His view on effective leadership was rather harsh and not exactly adopted in the Italian society. As a Renaissance citizen, Machiavelli proved his writing skills through a number of works such as short stories, plays, and histories. His more popular works includedRead MoreCharacteristics Of Joseph Stalin The Prince818 Words   |  4 PagesOctober 2017 Perfect Prince On December 21, 1879 (Editors, Biography.com) Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili was born. He was later known as Joseph Stalin and he was one of the most powerful men in the world during the 19th century. According to Niccolo Machiavellis views in the book, The Prince, Stalin was the perfect prince, or in this case the perfect dictator . The Prince examines the traits that are needed to be a perfect leader. Traits such as being feared, but not hated, being cruel, usingRead MorePower, Authority, and Accountability in Politics 1954 Words   |  8 Pagesvoting for them in the next election. (Hoffman, 2011) Niccolo Machiavelli is an important political theorist to look at while studying politics. Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy on the Third of May 1469. Machiavelli was very interested in working in the field of politics. He held many political titles in his life. One such example is when he worked as an adviser to the Borgia family for political matters. [Wheeler, 2011] Machiavelli travelled all over Europe on diplomatic missions; hereRead More The Powerful Truth of Machiavellis The Prince Essay1490 Words   |  6 Pageskingdom. Machiavelli saw the conventional thought of the time as a fantasy and only applicable in a utopian society. His work The Prince shatters all previous political thought by stating that a ruler must not only use the traditionally accepted means of maintaining power but also be able to use brute force, deceit and even cruelty as the situation requires. In the tumultuous political climate of renaissance Europe his theories were proven valid repeatedly.    Niccolo Machiavelli was bornRead MoreMachiavelli as a Humanist1886 Words   |  8 Pagesone who is concerned with the interests and welfare of humans. Niccolo’ Machiavelli can be thought of as a humanist. Although opinions on this differ greatly depending on whom you speak with. Machiavelli’s life consists of so many examples and lessons that he has learned throughout his life. Through my paper, I intend to examine his perception of morality based on his political writings and life experiences. Niccolo’ Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 and died in 1527. Although we do notRead MoreEssay The Life and Works of Niccolo Machiavelli2079 Words   |  9 PagesNiccolà ³ Machiavelli is perhaps the greatest political thinker in history. He was a historian, musician, a poet, and he wrote comedies. He liked poetry as much as he liked philosophy. Machiavelli wrote and collected poems. His works, which are inspired by his life experiences, have been read by many of the worlds greatest politicians. Niccolà ³ Machiavelli’s writing was influenced by the Medici family, the Soderini government in Italy, and his own diplomatic career. His great work, The Prince,