Abstract
This paper discusses Machiavelli's political outlooks and specifically the roles of chance and necessity in politics. While necessity is paramount in Machiavelli's political ideology, his life and writings are consistently troubled by the presence of the "supernatural" force of "Fortuna." Although in his writings, especially "The Prince" he attempts to instruct would-be rulers on how to prepare for, accommodate and tame fortune in order to turn it to their advantage, he concedes that the will of the goddess is sometimes unavoidable. However, Machiavelli's works were written during violent times. Times of conflict and instability. His work principally concedes that the world and society is inherently flawed, and he attempts to devise measures and procedures to somewhat remedy the ills that they experienced.Machiavelli received lots of criticism and stigma because of his profound ideals with with the author agrees.

From the Paper
" Almost all commentators on Machiavelli say that his principal innovation, and the essence of this method, was to "divorce politics from ethics". Thereby he broke sharply with the Aristotelian tradition, which had dominated medieval political thought. His method, they grant, freed politics to become more scientific and objective in its study of human behavior; but it was most dangerous because, through it, politics was released from "control" by ethical conceptions of what is right and good."

Tags:fortuna, fortune, luck, machiavelli, necessita, necessity, 'The, Prince', politics, chance, virtu

Abstract
In this paper, Machiavelli's "The Prince" and Boccaccio's "Decameron" are compared and contrasted on several different levels. Both works are considered in terms of their historical contexts. Questions of leadership and social change are also analyzed in terms of the authors' works. The paper also compares Machiavelli's philosophy to that of Christine de Pizan. Finally, the author examines both works in terms of their gender roles.

Morality and Virtue in the Society: Social and Political Perspectives from Niccolo Machiavelli and Christine de Pizan
Machiavelli and De Pizan on Gender Role Differences

From the Paper
"De Pizan, on the other hand, offered a different way of looking into a political issue, especially if this issue involves an important sector in the society: women. In her discourse, "The Treasure of the City of Ladies," De Pizan contemplated how human society had developed the psyche and perception that females are inherently inferior to males. This issue was borne out of the author's observation how literary and scholarly works portray a common stereotype of women as subversive to men, depicted as uneducated and not able to create decisions for themselves. In the words of Pizan, "learned men" tend depict women through 'wicked insults" about their behavior. This drove her to investigate and know the origin of this perception and wrong portrayal of women in Western societies."

Tags:The Prince, Decameron, Italy, social, change, Enlightenment, Machiavelli, Boccaccio, De, Pizan

Abstract
The paper relates that Niccolo Machiavelli, the Renaissance Italian diplomat, and Thomas Hobbes, the 17th century English political philosopher, approached the analysis of political institutions and history from points of view shaped by very different political and social contexts. In this essay, the political perspectives of both thinkers are analyzed comparatively, as manifested in their respective writings, in order to highlight and examine similarities and differences between the political thought of both men. The focus of this paper is upon how Machiavelli and Hobbes understand the nature of political rule and sovereignty. The thesis is advanced that the primary differences between the two thinkers lie in what each conceive to be the purpose of politics - for Machiavelli the acquisition of power, and for Hobbes the stability of social order - and how this purpose is reflected in ultimate objectives of each thinker in their respective works.

From the Paper
"Niccolo Machiavelli, the Renaissance Italian diplomat, and Thomas Hobbes, the 17th century English political philosopher, approached the analysis of political institutions and history from points of view shaped by very different political and social contexts. In this essay, the political perspectives of both thinkers will be analyzed comparatively, as manifested in their respective writings, in order to highlight and examine similarities and differences between the political thought of both men. The focus of this paper will be upon how Machiavelli and Hobbes understand..."

Tags:hobbes, machiavelli, state

Abstract
The paper relates that in Chapter VII, it becomes obvious that Machiavelli is equally concerned with the skills by which power is maintained as he is with the strengths that are used to seize that power. The paper looks at how Machiavelli states his belief that the most valuable of these skills is that of self-sufficiency; that is, if a prince is capable of achieving power and maintaining power using his own personal strengths and skills, he is more likely to succeed than someone who has been given his power through "fortune." The paper explains that this lack of self sufficiency is enough to cause Cesare Borgia to fail, in Machiavelli's eyes, despite whatever strengths that Borgia otherwise demonstrated.

From the Paper
"Contrary to popular opinion, Machiavelli was neither evil nor did he necessarily advocate being sadistic without reason. When reading "The Prince", it is important to remember that this book was written at another time and for another place; at the time that Machiavelli wrote his work, the world was ruled by individuals who had absolute power over their subjects and their subjects actions without any retribution from the people over whom they had control. Machiavelli, therefore, was not himself describing actions that were unduly cruel; rather, he was describing in a largely dispassionate manner..."

Tags:machiavelli, the prince, borgia

Abstract
This paper explores the writings of both Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes, focusing on the politics, the form of government of a nation or state and human nature. According to the paper, many believe that Hobbes derived many of his views from Machiavelli, however, differed slightly transforming some of Machiavelli's principles.

From the Paper
"n the writings of both Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes, each explores politics, the form of government of a nation or state and human nature. Many believe that Hobbes derived many of his views from..."

Tags:machiavelli, hobbes, human

Abstract
The paper discusses how Machiavelli (1610) wrote "The Prince" in an effort to demonstrate the essential qualities of leaders pertaining to his time in history. The paper notes, however, that Machiavelli's view was from the perspective of an individual that had been engulfed in war and that sought to find peace, and Machiavelli understood that different types of leaders were required at different moments of either struggle or prosperity.

From the Paper
"Machiavelli (1610) wrote "The Prince" in an effort to demonstrate the essential qualities of leaders pertaining to his time in history. This was because Machiavelli (1610) understood that in Italy at the time there was great unrest and had been significant difficulties for the nation. Therefore, Machiavelli (1610) wanted to share his knowledge with the world regarding his view of what it took to lead a nation. It should be noted, however, that Machiavelli's (1610) view was from the perspective of an individual that had been engulfed in war and that sought to find peace. Yet, Machiavelli (1610) understood that different types of leaders were..."

Tags:machiavelli, leadership, rince

Abstract
This political study analyzes the major ethical and moral foundations for governing that reside in the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, Aristotle, and Machiavelli. By understanding the premise of an ethical government in Aristotle's point view, the writer shows that the basis for a republican ethical and morality systems are a function of good political structures in government. However, the writer points out that Thomas Hobbes and Machiavelli disagree with this point of view, finding that self-preservation for elites is the foundation of most governing bodies through the reality of human nature. Further, the writer notes that aside from the dogmatic philosophy of Aristotle that seeks to propose ethical standards in government, both Hobbes and Machiavelli are realists in their understanding of human nature and the often-cruel conflicts that reside within the quest for power.

From the Paper
"... the critical philosophical premise to human nature that ultimately helps one realize how persons that attain power utilize it not for the greater good, but for the self-preservation of the person that is not satisfied with their own portion of power. In this manner, Hobbes provides the deeper insight into governing bodies and how they function, since it is often the issue of self-preservation that often dictates government, whether it be called republican, monarchy, etc., and that power forces men to abide by constitutions and rules only for their own greater personal success. "

Tags:machiavelli, plato, socrates

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that Machiavelli essentially formulated today's modern concept of the state. The writer examines the elements in Machiavelli's conception of state. The concepts of institutionalized authority and effective monopoly of force exercised through a national military force are discussed in this essay.

From the Paper
"What is a state and what does Machiavelli have to tell us about it? In a modern textbook on political science or international relations a definition of a state will often be given. It will usually go something like this: A state is a political unit that controls some region or territory and exercises sovereignty and a monopoly of force over that territory. State also has other meanings in English and so does its ... "

Tags:machiavelli, prince, state, sovereignty, authority, army, rule

Abstract
This paper examines, compares and contrasts the theories of Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli regarding man and politics. The paper focuses on Machiavelli's formulation of human nature, virtue and politics. Then the paper looks at Hobbes' dissatisfaction with Machiavellian political theory.

From the Paper
"Two of the best known modern philosophers who have taken up questions regarding man and politics or man and his life in civil society are Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. Machiavelli writing almost ...."

Tags:philosophy, Hobbes, Machiavelli

Abstract
The paper looks at Machiavelli's "The Prince" and discusses what was written as a handbook for political leaders. The paper explains Machiavelli's conceptions of political effectiveness, including what makes for a strong or weak leader and examines its continuing relevance today.

From the Paper
"Machiavelli's "The Prince" Introduction: Machiavelli's "The Prince" is often regarded as the beginning of political science as we now understand the term. Political theory is much older, at least as old as Plato, but it was static, seeking an ideal of the state based for example on a conception of happiness. Machiavelli introduced a way of thinking about political dynamics, how political leaders can respond to ever-changing circumstances in the real world."

Tags:Machiavelli, Prince, power, politics