NICCOLÓ MACHIAVELLI

INTRODUCTION

• Born at Florence on 3rd May 1469 to 1527 Was an Italian historian, politician , diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer during the Renaissance.
• Was working as an official in the Florentine Republic and was in charge of diplomatic and military affairs
• In 1513, he was accused by the Medici Family of conspiracy and was imprisoned and later on, exiled.
• In an attempt to regain a political post, he wrote 'The Prince' In 1513,which was to become his most well-known work.

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI- 'THE PRINCE'

• Reflecting on his career with the government and his dealings with various leaders, Niccoló turned to political advisory writing.
• By 1513, he came out with a brief book called 'The Prince', which is now considered one of the most notable literary works ever, and a classic of political philosophy.

Niccoló's theories were based on the premise that a ruler must base policies on people's true nature.

His concepts on people are as follow:

• Have a primary interest in themselves, and basically carry the mindset of 'What's in it for me.'
• Are mainly concerned with their property and honor. (In 'The Prince', Niccoló wrote: "When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content...")
• Are motivated by their financial greed, but are usually content with the overall existing state of affairs, although those who have achieved some power are usually more aspiring.

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• Might sometimes be trustworthy in good times or due to various motives, but are almost always very dishonest in times of distress.
• Admire & praise qualities such integrity, mercy, honesty, humaneness, religiousness, and generosity in other people, but rarely ever foster those characteristics on themselves.

Are often herd-minded, cling to the general opinion , and judge from appearances. (In 'The Prince', Niccoló wrote: "In general, men judge more from appearances than from realness. All men have eyes, but few have perception. Everyone sees what you seem to be few know what you really are, and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion.")

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• Can become very loyal to another through receiving acts of goodwill, but even one's strong sense of loyalty is not absolute, and can be own or lost.

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• Can have their feelings towards others changed, i.e. with certain catalysts, they can turn against someone they favored, or can have their favor won towards someone they used to view negatively.

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• Are inconstant- can have their friendship bought, but friends that are bought with money are unreliable. (In 'The Prince', he wrote: "... Friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by greatness or nobility of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon...")

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• Often remain content and uncomplaining unless something horrible happens to them.

1. Niccoló recommends that one should balance the ways of a lion(strength,ferocity) with the ways of a fox (cunning,slyness, understanding,outmaneuvering enemies)

2. Inspire fear over love if a choice is given but do not incite hate.

3. Employing the right people, getting advice,and dealing with opinions.

4. Creating an 'artificial' image that appears good & praiseworthy, which he defines as having qualities such as being merciful, loyal/trustworthy, humane and religious.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN SOMEONE IS SAID TO BE A MACHIAVELLIAN RULER?

The term 'Machiavellian' has been used both in and out of politics to denote a cunning, deceptive and deceitful kind of resourcefulness. This stems from many of the controversial recommendations outlined in 'The Prince'.

'A prudent ruler cannot, and must not, honor his word when it places him in a disadvantage.'
- Niccoló Machiavelli

'One must know how to color one's actions and be a great liar and deceiver.'
-Niccoló Machiavelli.