Machiavelli and the Prince

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Machiavelli was a writer. His full name was Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli. He was born 1469 in Florence Italy. Machiavelli was a writer. He wrote his most famous book, "The Prince", in 1513. It was a compilation of advice on how to be a powerful and effective ruler. His advice became so widely renowned that the term Machiavellian was developed, meaning tactics of strategy and trickery in politics. Though his works are very controversial, they are still studied in modern day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Machiavelli

"He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command." I believe this Machiavelli's most important and relevant quote to the modern day. It is universal advice for any ruler, or one that wishes to rise to power. Our current president of the United States; Barrack Obama wouldn't have been elected if not for his extreme skill in leadership. He unified legions of voters behind him in order to become president. These are the qualities a leader needs. A anit-example that also reinforces this quote, is our previous president, George W. Bush. He was able to be elected, however he lost much of his popularity by starting a war many considered to be unnecessary. By the end of his term his popularity had dropped by at least 20%( http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm ) from 2005. This is all proof that an effective leader, must be able to keep the people under control, whatever methods he/she uses, must keep his subjects from rising up against him/her or rebelling.


"A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise." This is illegitimate advice for rulers of modern day. The reason that this is unfit for our modern rulers, is that many countries now give much more power to the people. Those who break their word or don't come through on their promises can now be impeached or asked to step down from position. It is important that rulers offer the people improvement, but they must be able to follow through with this guarantee. A former prime minister of Japan, left office, after he was unable to fulfill his promises to the country. The people of today are satisfied when a leader makes an improvement, not when they say they will.

"Before all else, be armed." This would have been very helpful advice for the Incas on the day they met with Pizarro and his men. They were celebrating a recent military victory, and due to this assumed state of celebration they were unarmed and unprepared for Pizarro's attack. This quote does not solely advise that you carry weapons with you, it is meant in a much broader sense to always be prepared and ready. This way you will not be caught off guard. This occurred, and the Incas were slaughtered like dogs because they were not ready and caught off guard.


This picture is an example of the "Before all else be armed" quote.