Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Renaissance thought. Particularly, the paper discusses the lasting impact that Niccolo Machiavelli has on Western thought. The paper describes Machiavelli as an important contributor to Renaissance thought as it pertains to the government of society and the means by which to organize the various classes of the people. The paper mentions some of Machiavelli's works, such as "The Prince" and "The Discourses" and it discusses the importance of these works to Western society today.

From the Paper:

"It has been noted by scholars that Machiavelli underwent an individual maturing of thought, as seen by his transference from monarchial theory, as seen within The Prince to the more republican theory, as seen throughout his Discourses. Hans Baron's depiction of Machiavellian works demonstrates how Machiavelli early on had an "enthusiasm for a monarchical solution" to Italy, but as time progressed, he affirmed a more republican belief in the future of Italy's governance. That Machiavelli was a historian is an important factor in his progression in thought; Machiavelli used his own experiences within Florence as the means for which to depict the structure that would best be able to rule the province. His reverence for Rome is seen in his later writings, where Machiavelli believes in the strength of the republic, that the republic is the best means necessary to achieve social and political order. Machiavelli's thoughts on republicanism over monarchial structures can be seen in today's society, where republics stand strong in the face of contemporary problems. Machiavelli was a common critic of all governance structures, but most importantly, he criticized the structure in which decisions were made by the few but accepted to govern the many. He believed that private citizens had too much power in even the republics of the age. He sought to allow all people the right to exercise their voice within their government and their province, and only then could an efficient governance structure exist to allow for the stability of all."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Calhoon, Richard P. Niccolo Machiavelli and the Twentieth Century Administrator. The Academy of Management Journal, 12(2), pp. 205 - 212
• Najemy, John M. Baron's Machiavelli and Renaissance Republicanism. The American Historical Review, 101(1), pp. 122 - 129.

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