Balance, Foresight, and Machiavelli

Paper Summary:

This paper examines and compares "The Prince" and "The Discourses" by Machiavelli. It discusses the concept of prudence in "The Prince" and states that "The Discourses" raises several fundamental components of a democracy that would not be seen for another five hundred years; yet, in his work, "The Prince", he merely addresses the idea of maintaining a stable state using prudence and foresight.

From the Paper:

"The circumstances surrounding our actions effect the direction of our lives. In literature this certainly holds true namely that it bends to its circumstantial frame and is subject to the context of its respective time period. Machiavelli's The Prince is one such example. Machiavelli's intention was to write a thesis that would win the favor of his potential employers. In writing The Prince he does extensively cater to their views, yet today his novel is acclaimed as one of the greatest political works ever written when in fact all it was meant to be was a resume of sorts. However, the work is not void of good political deliberation, moreover, it analyzed the dominating methods of government at that time. In it, Machiavelli depicts the ideal ruler as one that is both loved and feared, and one that demonstrates both skill and prudence. In defining prudence Machiavelli brings up several key points, yet Machiavelli's tone and heart seems to lie not in the oligarchies and aristocracies of the world which he calls principalities, but in republics."

More papers on Balance, Foresight, and Machiavelli:

• Analytical Essay # 133882 : "Sun Tzu, Clausewitz and Machiavelli on Leadership"
• Comparison Essay # 70153 : "Hobbes and Machiavelli"
• Essay # 87766 : "Augustine and Machiavelli"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: