Machiavelli s The And Machiavellian Discourses - 1571 Words

The maintenance of a state requires the ability to act in accordance to the times. The Hobbesian and Machiavellian discourses in relation to the legitimacy of violence are distinct, nonetheless, bring forth significant arguments. Machiavelli claims that leaders ought to be good as long as the times permit, however, the leader with virtu ought to prepare to enter into evil when forced by necessity. Contrary to popular belief, Machiavelli does not endorse violence, rather he provides advice to those who wish to maintain their state or creation and in spite of the ravaging forces of time. The advice of Machiavelli is selective as it is geared to those who wish to maintain their state, not those preoccupied with salvation. In my understanding, Machiavelli advises that in order to maintain a political order, leaders ought to acquire virtu and not remain obstinate or operate with eternal principles. The Hobbesian account of the legitimacy of the use of violence is based on a notion of exc eptionalism, which is the distinctive characteristic of the sovereign. Whereas Machiavelli appeals to effects, Hobbes’ defence of the legitimacy of violence is intrinsically necessary to the notion of sovereignty. By definition, the sovereign is sovereign or exceptional to commit violence. For example, the governing laws of physics make it impossible for man to walk on water, except when the law-giver walks on water. It is in the nature of the sovereign to determine exceptions, any act ofShow MoreRelatedOrder In A Civic Society Is Kept By A Great Many Agents1733 Words   |  7 Pagesall the same? The political theorists Niccolà ² Machiavelli in The Discourses on Livy and Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan offer contrasting conclusions; the former believed obeying selfish motivation disastrous whereas the latter thought it fundamental towards maintaining the solvency of the country. The origin of their differing conclusions is found in their respective interpretations of the end a g overnment is meant to serve; to the republican Machiavelli, the government is a means to individual libertyRead MoreEssay about Machiavelli and War on Terror1100 Words   |  5 PagesIn both The Prince and The Discourses, Machiavelli presents very specific advice on how a ruler can maintain stability and control over his newly acquired state. Machiavelli lived in a time when a ruler could come to possess another kingdom through the simple act of war. Yet, in our modernity, a ruler cannot simply declare war and occupy a territory. He must also face repercussions from the other world powers that are in existence today. Our time has evolved and a ruler now has to take into considerationRead 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; here heRead More Machiavelli’s View of Human Nature Essay1696 Words   |  7 Pagessays â€Å"[they] will all think of their own interests †¦. for men will always be false †¦ unless they are compelled by necessity to be true.† (Prince, xxiii, p. 89) Beyond specific citations, there is what may be called the atmosphere of the work. Machiavelli constantly assumes that, regardless of what ought to be done, there is no reason to expect that it will be unless it accords with someone’s interests. 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The trial of Socrates began after the Peloponnesian War when the new Spartan Tyranny took over the Athenian government. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods by the Spartan government. In the eyes of the Spartan government Socrates is a gadfly because of his posing of upsettingRead More Analysis of Mores The Prince and Utopia Essay1545 Words   |  7 Pageswith Raphael Nonsenso and his travels to Utopia. Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1469 to a middleclass family. The time in which Machiavelli lived Italy as a country was not united but divide and split into little providences and republics. He latter became responsible for the Florentine militia against the Medici government and rule. When the Medici power reclaimed Florence Machiavelli was arrested for conspiracy he was tortured and then banished from FlorenceRead MoreNiccolo Machiavelli s The Prince1719 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli’s, The Prince, a book written by Niccolà ² Machiavelli, is a read that most people wouldn’t prefer to read as a first option but in defense to Niccolo, it brings out many themes such as Goodwill and Hatred, Free will, and Human Nature. â€Å"It is known from his personal correspondence that The Prince was written during 1513, the year after the Medici took control of Florence, and a few months after Machiavelli s arrest, torture, and banishment by the Medici regime† (Bio.com). The novel wasRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1178 Words   |  5 Pagesrelationship also shares a distrust of their wives. The overall logical argument is based on love, jealousy and betrayal between two lovers that ultimately leads to their separation because of Iago’s evil plan. I am using this article to agree with Berry s view on how Iago separates two lovers just so he can take retaliation on Othello by manipulating everyone to unmasking their true intentions. He knows how to ask the right questions and say the right thing to achieve his desired consequence such as playactingRead MoreMachiavelli Essay1825 Words   |  8 PagesMachiavelli I would rather be in hell and converse with great minds than live in paradise with that dull rabble. In his lifes writings, Niccolo Machiavelli, sought out the strength of the human character, and wrote according to his own rules; trying to better the political philosophy of his time. Machiavelli, a fiercely independent Renaissance man, advocated the prosperity of Italian politics, and wanted Italy to rise above the rest of the world. Machiavellis writings dealt with many