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The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli sets principals and tactics on how a prince can keep complete superiority when he has power over a state. In the book he talks about what leaders have to do to during their supremacy and how to achieve and keep power over a state. His philosophy is satisfying and agreeable and can be seen convincing to the United States government in today’s world. Machiavelli is correct while stating ways to hold states that have been accustomed to living freely under their own laws in the chapter on how to govern cities and principalities that, prior to being occupied, lived under their own laws. He is correct because if anyone was to knock off the government and be friendly to everyone, while allowing the state to maintain its own laws but to charge taxes and establish an oligarchy to keep the state friendly. Concerning new principalities acquired by one’s own arms and ability, Machiavelli was correct stating skilled people are better off being rulers than people with luck or good fortune. “Now, as the fact of becoming a prince from a private station presupposes either ability or fortune, it is clear that one or other of these two things will mitigate in some degree many difficulties. Nevertheless, he who has relied least on fortune is established the strongest.” (Machiavelli page 24).
This is correct because not everyone who has good fortune of a noble birth, inheritance or lucky circumstances has enough knowledge to be a good ruler or prince. Citizens who are well developed and more experienced and have a expertise can acquire states much easier than people with lucky circumstances.
Machiavelli speaks the truth while stating that it is easier to have control over a new principality if the people share the same language and customs as the prince’s country because being a ruler means everyone should speak the same language and follow the same kind of customs. As long as a prince makes fair laws and keeps his people happy. If the prince did not have full control over his people he would not be able to address problems and prevent officials from plundering his territory. This would make the territory stronger. Rulers who rely on their prowess instead of fortune become more successful while holding power in states because they meet a challenge of establishing new orders. A prince should solve problems before they fully manifest is another thing Machiavelli states. This is a true statement because if a prince does not solve his problems it will only get worse and he will have a lot more to deal with. Machiavelli describes a prince to be a beast, or a fox or a lion. He states that a lion doesn’t defend himself from traps and the fox doesn’t defend itself from wolves. A prince whether hated or loved by his state should satisfy the needs of his people. He should have independence but open to discussion of what his people need. If a prince was more like a tyrant he wouldn’t be favorable and would cause many problems. If misfortunate he should not be weak and should think more confidently, because being confident fixes many problems. The rules by Machiavelli have steps on how to become a more successful prince. The book has a purpose to inform how to accomplish while in power. Machiavelli states that people need to be happy and pleased for a prince to stay in power for a long period of time. If his people are not happy or pleased the prince will fall and a new and better prince will come to power. This can be compared to the government in the United States. If people in the US are not pleased with the president then we can vote him out of office. Presidents can be impeached and the citizens can choose a better candidate that will suit them better. In chapter nineteen of The Prince, the need to avoid contempt and hatred, Machiavelli states that a prince must avoid being hated and despised at all costs. “I have spoken of the more important ones, the others I wish to discuss briefly under this generality, that the prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches.” (Machiavelli Chapter 19).
A prince can be criticized for a lack of virtue to his people but he will not be hated for it. If a prince was to takes the property or women of his subjects he could be hated. Previous rulers have failed to act in ways that benefit their states. If a prince is smart enough to seek to investigate previous errors of other rulers he has a better chance in succeeding. Machiavelli is correct when stating that we learn from our mistakes. This relates to the United States because the presidential candidates look at mistakes and things that previous presidents have done and try and fix them to make them look better for America. Machiavelli also speaks on how it is sometimes hard to not be hated by some members of your society but you cant avoid being hated you just have to stay strong and try and fix your problems and try and do more things that people wont hate you for.
Machiavelli speaks the truth in chapter 13, when stating that if a prince does not command his own troops, the state can never be secure. “I conclude, therefore, that no principality is secure without having its own forces; on the contrary, it is entirely dependent on good fortune, not having the valour which in adversity would defend it” (Machiavelli Chapter 13). A prince should never borrow troops because without reliance on your own troops you have to have liability. A prince should be able to trust his troops to keep his land safe and should know that no one will come in and take over. This can be compared to the United States as well, we’ve had alliances with other countries but we always rely on our troops to do the jobs that they commit to. In chapter 12 of The Prince Machiavelli is correct while stating when defending against inner rebellion, princes used various strategies. Dividing towns, disarming the public and encouraging disloyal subjects while other build or destroy fortifications. Disarming subjects can lead to distrust which could soon lead to civil hatred towards a prince. “There never was a new prince who has disarmed his subjects; rather when he has found them disarmed he has always armed them, because, by arming them, those arms become yours, those men who were distrusted become faithful, and those who were faithful are kept so, and your subjects become your adherents” (Machiavelli Chapter 12). As a prince and having more support from your subjects makes you more powerful in the long run. Machiavelli states that in order to hold a state, princes must understand warcraft and statecraft. War can be avoided by restraining confusion. No one can escape a war; war can only be postponed to enemies’ advantage. This is correct because In order to hold a state, a prince must understand statecraft and warcraft. The two are intertwined. War can be avoided by suppressing disorder. However, one can never escape a war: war can only be postponed to the enemy’s advantage. Machiavelli states that although it is easier to take over a state ruled by nobles, it’s much harder to maintain control over that state. In states ruled by nobles it’s not enough to kill the former ruler’s family because other nobles will still be around to revolt. If a state has ministers it is much easier because it requires killing on prince and his family. This is true because a noble could be corrupted and will corrupt the support of his subjects. Machiavelli states that a prince should take up residence in the new state because if he lives there, the prince can address problems a lot faster and more professionally. He also states that it is less expensive to establish colonies than to maintain military jobs. He states that a prince should injure people only if he knows there is no threat of revenge. He needs to make sure there are no foreign countries that are stronger and if there are he needs to weaken the strong ones and make sure that they won’t invade. He must remain in control of the whole country. The prince teachings are applicable to the governments of today because the USA in Iraq knocked over Iraq’s government and ran financial police and military system; most parts just leave people alone. The US takes everything even further and introduced them to democracy and self rule so long term we done have to be there. Like in Europe today, we don’t have as much presence but we still call all the shots there and have ability to run them. Niccolo Machiavelli made orders in the book The Prince to give good reasoning and understanding on his viewpoints on how to be a successful prince. He gave his viewpoints on how to be a good ruler and to have power and maintain power of a state. He added his beliefs on how people saw the princes to be and how they reacted to prince’s decisions and beliefs. He made good points on relationships with the people and the rulers. His ideas relate to the world today, even if that wasn’t Machiavelli’s reasoning for the book. • http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince00.htm • The Prince & the other writings • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince
