KWilson+Discussion

Machiavelli’s The Prince, has many underlying themes which are displayed in America’s past history and today’s society. One theme includes the human nature of goodwill and hatred. Not only does a “prince” need to have goodwill for the conquering of his citizens, but also must practice abolish the hatred of the people; love from them is not necessary. In our past history,

After reading Machiavelli’s The Prince, I have come to realize that most of his ideas can be applied in today’s society. In Chapter V, it is said that a prince must follow three certain laws for success in ruling a country. He also explains that a prince should please his citizens. “…he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it more easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way.” This can be found in today's society for the president of the United States. A country will get used to a certain president, but when a new one comes to replace him/her, the people will be happy again. Because they are so used to having some royalty ruling them, and they cannot govern themselves, they will take the new "prince" into their country willingly. In the 18th century, Americans were having the same issues as today. Where one president would make them happy, the time between elections would be horrible for their comforting needs for a stable society. In chapter VI, Machiavelli’s ideas can be used through today's society. Machiavelli says that people are easy to convince when you do it by power and control. Today, America persuades its citizens to believe the slightly false facts through news broadcasts. Even if Americans disagree with little knowledge, a news station can change their perspective by displaying facts that appear to be real (even if they are slightly twisted and wrong). “...it may be possible to make them believe by force.” In our previous history in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Americans were persuaded to believe certain things through posters and propganda. In chapter VII of The Prince, Machiavelli points out that a Prince doesn't come to power over night. It is something that takes time to endour and with this comes patience. These factors can be portrayed on our candiates for presidancy today. Where George Bush came into power over the US, others of different countries come to rule through birth rights of loyalty. Also in past history, persay the eighteenth century, American war leaders didn't just get randomly picked to lead America into war, they had to earn their position. "Neither have they the knowledge requisite for the position; because, unless they are men of great worth and ability, it is not reasonable to expect that they should know how to command..." Throughout chapter VIII of the Prince, Machiavelli makes it clear that no matter how powerful an official is, they will never get respect if they came to their position through criminal acts. Most importantly, they will indeed get power but their people will never be faithful to them nor support them. An example from long past history is the dictator Agathocles. "Some may wonder how it can happen that Agathocles, and his like, after infinite treacheries and cruelties, should live for long secure in his country, and defend himself from external enemies, and never be conspired against by his own citizens..." In modern society, someone who is known for commiting criminal acts to come to power will never get the power they feel they need. The president has to have a clean record in order to serve in office. Why would America allow the president to rule over us and expect Americans to follow the laws if he/ she can't obey the country's standards themselves? We wouldn't and we don't. Lastly, chapter IX, Machiavelli states that a leader doesn't always have to come to power through force, he can be elected by the favor of the people. If the people desire the particular leader, of course he/she will strive at taking over and becoming they more successful dictator than all others. In long past history, Nabis, the prince of Spartans, proved his people of his loyalty by not only defeating their enemy, but doing it in a way where he stayed in favor of his people. In today's society, a much smaller election, like electing a class president for example, is a way in which someone can be chosen by the favor of the poeple. All in all, Machiavelli feels that to be a prince, one must thrive in being strict with their rules, yet favor the people's wishes in which he is elected to do so initially.