"The Prince" and the Political System

Essay # 3341

Political Science > Machiavelli, Niccolo
Political Science > Political Theory

This paper examines how Machiavelli viewed the political system, discussing what constitutes a successful leader, how to govern a nation and maintain strength and political power, no matter by what means, no matter what the cost.

1,340 words () | 1 source | 2001 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Niccolo Machiavelli's famous work on "how to" governing, "The Prince". The author examines Machiavelli's beliefs regarding one's rise to power, and how to maintain such control. His theory, still practiced in modern times, states that a strong leader will do whatever he can to maintain power, use as much force and deception necessary, but only if for the absolute good of the people, not for his own personal benefit.

From the Paper:

"Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli refers to virt?, or the characteristic that is needed in any great leader. He also says that Agathocles doesn't have this quality for the way in which he takes the power in Syracuse. Because of this, it is important to define virt? so that we can better determine if Agathocles act displays virt?. Literally, virt? is Greek for "manly excellence," but that is too vague and virtue as we know it today doesn't quite grasp the meaning used here either. Machiavelli seems to encompass a lot of personality traits into his definition of virtu."

More papers on "The Prince" and the Political System:

View more related papers »

Cite this paper

APA Citation:

"The Prince" and the Political System (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Essay-The-Prince-and-the-Political-System/3341