Machiavellian Advice from The Prince Essay -- Political Science

Niccolo Machiavelli was a middle-class and humanist-educated Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance in the late fifteenth and early 16th centuries. Although bestowed with the title of the father of modern political theory, Machiavelli has been, and continues to be widely misunderstood and misinterpreted (Kreis). The term Machiavellian, and it is in the dictionary, is defined as tough or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty (Dictionary). In acknowledgment of the fixed impact of Machiavelli on society, psychologists have identified a distinct disposition style that is characterized by manipulativeness, cynicism about human nature, and shrewdness in interpersonal behavior, and named this syndrome after Machiavelli (48). Machiavellianism is described as a manipulative dodge of social interaction and personality style that uses other people as tools of personal nominate (48). In this excerpt from The Prince, Machiavelli s some recognized and popular discourse on morality and power, the author discusses and compares numerous aspects of the necessary attributes of a successful ruler. While he debates the pros and cons of vice and virtue, Machiavelli presents a compelling case for the adroit application of vice, in the event that aureate virtues will threaten the sovereignty of authority.Most of Machiavellis work, including the The Prince, was only officially published posthumously, and the assumption would be that his intention in writing The Prince was non to inform the general public, most of who had neither reading skills, the access to books, or held positions of leadership and government. Machiavellis true intention in writing The Prince was to gain the att... ...itics. That Machiavelli has become synonymous with treachery is ironic, for this essay unmistakably and definitely confirms that end-to-end the history of civilization, those leaders who persevered and gained recognition as ico ns of power, character, and intellect were those who understood the residuum of virtue and vice. Works CitedDictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 12 March 2012.Kirszner, Laurie G., and Mandell, Stephen R. Practical Argument. From The Prince. New York Bedford-St. Martins. 2011. release Kreis, Steven. Niccolo Machiavelli. The History Guide. The History Guide. Web. 10 Mar. 2012.SparkNotes Editors. SparkNote on The Prince. SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 6 Mar. 2012.48 Laws of cater and the Machiavellian Personality. Psychology and Mental wellness Forum. Psychology and Mental Health Forum. Web. Mar. 12 2012.