Machiavelli's The Prince as always been a favorite of mine. When i first read this as required reading for a class i felt as if it was the most thought provoking piece i had read that semester. Machiavelli used this piece of literature to prove his proficiency of the state. His understanding on how important protecting, acquiring and maintaining the state was. Hw was a believer of war and backed up his reasons for it. As a person of power he knew that the sole art of war belongs to him who rules.
I think my favorite portion of The Prince is the love and fear part. Is it greater to be loved or feared and Machiavelli answers this question very intelligently. He states that there is greater security in being feared that being in love. One is to inspire fear and win love. Love and fear are difficult to unite in just one person. He understood that as a ruler he knew that friendship could be obtained by payments.
4 comments:
Feared or loved, the dictators or "leaders" that seem to have had the greatest power were those that were feared. However, the leaders that brought about the greatest changes were those that were loved. I would prefer to be loved, because people would fight for you to their last breath, but those that fear you will fight for you until they can overtake you. Hitler had great power, but it lasted a short time with a horrific legacy. Ghandhi had very little power, but his legacy will endure with greater power over a much longer time period.
I think that the Prince gives us a wonderful insight into the processes of thinking behind rulers of the time. It is even important to note that people of power still refer to the lessons of The Prince as they strive to find a balance of fear and love. It is also important to remember that fear and love both come in many forms and when dealing with government they can turn into the same things.
I thought Machivelli's letter was insightful. It gave really good advice on how to a proper ruler and what some of the consequences could be if you lacked some of these abilities. Without some of the abilities that Machiavelli wrote about, it could lead to a prince's self demise.
I agree with you- I thought The Prince was a wonderful and very thought-provoking read as well. I found a post on Peterman's Eye about the book- thought I'd share.
http://www.petermanseye.com/interesting-times/politics/370-the-prince
Cheers!
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