Nicolo Machiavelli's The Prince
“The Prince” is an extraordinary work by Nicolo Machiavelli that is timeless in its discussion on ruling nations. The fundamental question branches out to much of the discussion in “The Prince” is whether it is better for a ruler to be feared or loved. According to Machiavelli, it would be desired for a ruler to be able to balance his or her level of love and hatred from the country. However, Machiavelli believes that the nature of man is “ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, [and] covetous.” Therefore, Machiavelli says that it is safer to be feared. Yet, he does still give tremendous merit towards being loved. The final matter is that no matter what approach a ruler decides to take, he or she must remain faithful to that approach, make
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It is expected that Napoleon Bonaparte would eventually be deemed a Machiavellian ruler because he himself read “The Prince.” Upon reading “The Prince”, Napoleon would have been exposed to the numerous characteristics that …show more content…
It is due to his actions that one of the worst civil wars seen in history is unfolding. In 2011, pro-democracy protests surfaced in Syria after the detaining and torturing of a group of teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. Immediately, the people of Syria demanded the resignation of al-Assad. Machiavelli wrote that subjects should either be loved or crushed. However, he also mentioned that rulers should “avoid being hated by every one, and when they cannot compass this, they ought to endeavour with the utmost diligence to avoid the hatred of the most powerful.” He should have resigned as the people demanded him too or peacefully respond to an initially peaceful protest. Assad had brought unnecessary hatred on himself when he chose to quell the Syrian protests and crisis the way he did. For example, it is presumed that Assad gassed his own civilians in Ghouta in 2013. Additionally, since the beginning of the civil war, Assad has been releasing terrorist prisoners to delegitimize the movement. Thus, the Assad regime has lost one of the most important aspects according to Machiavelli—the support of the people. Moreover, Machiavelli specifically warned against the introduction of foreign powers. Assad has allowed what started as a civil war to a sectarian war between the Shiites and the Sunnis and a proxy war
It is expected that Napoleon Bonaparte would eventually be deemed a Machiavellian ruler because he himself read “The Prince.” Upon reading “The Prince”, Napoleon would have been exposed to the numerous characteristics that …show more content…
It is due to his actions that one of the worst civil wars seen in history is unfolding. In 2011, pro-democracy protests surfaced in Syria after the detaining and torturing of a group of teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. Immediately, the people of Syria demanded the resignation of al-Assad. Machiavelli wrote that subjects should either be loved or crushed. However, he also mentioned that rulers should “avoid being hated by every one, and when they cannot compass this, they ought to endeavour with the utmost diligence to avoid the hatred of the most powerful.” He should have resigned as the people demanded him too or peacefully respond to an initially peaceful protest. Assad had brought unnecessary hatred on himself when he chose to quell the Syrian protests and crisis the way he did. For example, it is presumed that Assad gassed his own civilians in Ghouta in 2013. Additionally, since the beginning of the civil war, Assad has been releasing terrorist prisoners to delegitimize the movement. Thus, the Assad regime has lost one of the most important aspects according to Machiavelli—the support of the people. Moreover, Machiavelli specifically warned against the introduction of foreign powers. Assad has allowed what started as a civil war to a sectarian war between the Shiites and the Sunnis and a proxy war