Machiavelli and The Prince

Politics as an Art Our purpose here is to study politics as an end in itself, not just as a means by which policies are created, implemented, etc. Our purpose here is to study politics as an end in itself, not just as a means by which policies are created, implemented, etc. How to become a politician and navigate politics is akin to becoming a professional athlete, doctor, or other professional. How to become a politician and navigate politics is akin to becoming a professional athlete, doctor, or other professional. Successful politicians help shape the future by leading the political process – successful policies are rooted in successful politicians – it is talent, skill! Successful politicians help shape the future by leading the political process – successful policies are rooted in successful politicians – it is talent, skill!

Background on Machiavelli and the Prince Machiavelli ’ s political and theoretical writings start off as a magnificent point to begin our class. Machiavelli ’ s political and theoretical writings start off as a magnificent point to begin our class. Machiavelli ’ s work is insightful especially in those situations where there is instability or substantial change at hand. The Prince is a playbook, a manual of sorts, for leadership where government needs to be created or stabilized. Machiavelli ’ s work is insightful especially in those situations where there is instability or substantial change at hand. The Prince is a playbook, a manual of sorts, for leadership where government needs to be created or stabilized.

Machiavelli Lived Medici, Italy. Lived Medici, Italy. Lived an unstable period of the fractured, war- prone city-states of the Italian peninsula (before unification as a single country). Lived an unstable period of the fractured, war- prone city-states of the Italian peninsula (before unification as a single country). Hence, the key problem to his period is the lack of a unified, stable government for Italy, due to intervention by outside monarchies and the political strength of the Pope. Hence, the key problem to his period is the lack of a unified, stable government for Italy, due to intervention by outside monarchies and the political strength of the Pope.

Machiavelli as first Modern Political Theorist Machiavelli is considered the first political theorist due to rejection of Ancient philosophy, which is characterized by: Machiavelli is considered the first political theorist due to rejection of Ancient philosophy, which is characterized by: Happiness is goal- a well formed society like a beehive- everyone in their place and peaceful. (Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, etc.) Happiness is goal- a well formed society like a beehive- everyone in their place and peaceful. (Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, etc.) Nature or Gods control fate of humanity. Nature or Gods control fate of humanity.

Machiavelli believes… That man must control his own destiny, not God(s) or society. In so doing, man is in effect not allowing “ nature ” to dictate his fate. That man must control his own destiny, not God(s) or society. In so doing, man is in effect not allowing “ nature ” to dictate his fate. Power is what people want and that people will do anything to obtain it Power is what people want and that people will do anything to obtain it That the teachings of Socrates, Jesus, and Confucius are fine intellectually but that people do not actually behave that way That the teachings of Socrates, Jesus, and Confucius are fine intellectually but that people do not actually behave that way

The Prince Written as a gift for Prince Lorenzo de ’ Medici, in order to help win a political job. The Prince is not as coherent as most theoretical works due to its purpose as a gift and as a playbook of sorts for politicians, but contains many useful insights. Written as a gift for Prince Lorenzo de ’ Medici, in order to help win a political job. The Prince is not as coherent as most theoretical works due to its purpose as a gift and as a playbook of sorts for politicians, but contains many useful insights. Machiavelli ’ s more important work is the Discourses on Livy, which explains how and why to set up a Republic. Machiavelli ’ s more important work is the Discourses on Livy, which explains how and why to set up a Republic.

The Prince Theme: POWER! Theme: POWER! How to get it and how to keep it How to get it and how to keep it An individual can learn how to obtain and maintain power through lessons of history----both immediate history and the histories of Greece and Rome. An individual can learn how to obtain and maintain power through lessons of history----both immediate history and the histories of Greece and Rome.

Your Turn! In your notebooks: In your notebooks: 1. Identify positions that call for leadership 1. Identify positions that call for leadership Ex. School principal Ex. School principal 2. What generalizations can you make about the skills these leaders should have? 2. What generalizations can you make about the skills these leaders should have? Ex. honesty Ex. honesty 3. What are skills, traits, or powers you think help a leader get ahead or get things done? 3. What are skills, traits, or powers you think help a leader get ahead or get things done? Do any overlap with question number two? Do any overlap with question number two?

The Prince 1st decision that an individual must make is whether he really wants power because a person who does not truly desire power should stay out of that arena. Those who seek power must be willing to do whatever is necessary to obtain it. 1st decision that an individual must make is whether he really wants power because a person who does not truly desire power should stay out of that arena. Those who seek power must be willing to do whatever is necessary to obtain it. 2 nd decision is those who seek power must understand: 2 nd decision is those who seek power must understand: What they want power over What they want power over How they will exercise power How they will exercise power How they will maintain power How they will maintain power

The Prince A leader must possess several characteristics: A leader must possess several characteristics: Cunning Cunning Stingy: power is about force and the money to buy that force and sustain it Stingy: power is about force and the money to buy that force and sustain it Believed Caesar was too generous and would ruin himself Believed Caesar was too generous and would ruin himself Cruel: being hated and feared is better than being loved Cruel: being hated and feared is better than being loved Ability to lie: leaders should never keep a promise unless it convenient Ability to lie: leaders should never keep a promise unless it convenient

The Prince Selection of supporters is also important Selection of supporters is also important Capable, loyal, and under the leader’s control Capable, loyal, and under the leader’s control Must be flatterers, but the leader must be able to judge this flattery Must be flatterers, but the leader must be able to judge this flattery Anyone who contradicts the leader in public or gives a honest opinion in public must be removed Anyone who contradicts the leader in public or gives a honest opinion in public must be removed