The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli - Research Paper Example

This research paper would analyze the aspect of leadership and its connection to human nature as seen through the book, The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli2. In proof of these statements, for Machiavelli a genuine leader is the one who often arouses fear within the people he rules and the people fear him in return. Therefore, a good relationship between a leader and his people is that relationship which is never equal. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli remains one of the most controversial and influential, works of literature in modern political philosophy.

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote his book at a time when his political star was in the horizons. His dedication of the book to Lorenzo de’ Medici was in the view that the latter would apply Machiavelli’s political thoughts in the book to rule Florence, Italy3. In his book, Machiavelli repeatedly addresses a wide range of political realms. His extension in diverse political ranges is to advise the prince on the use of his power and conduct while running the state. Much of what Machiavelli scribbles down in his book, The Prince, gets its influence from his 1498 entry into service as a diplomat and as an administrator, up to the level where he grew to the fame of the father of modern political thought.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli has in it one of the most controversial themes and this was his intended separation of politics and ethics. One would wonder how Machiavelli aimed to achieve this since even the book itself is not a philosophical collection on how to instruct and create the ideal ruling government rather its popular sentiments were on how to gain and hold power4. Through the exemplary use of rulers of the past, Machiavelli expounds on how a ruler can acquire and perpetuate his influence through adhere to his own prowess.

One of the controversial observation that Machiavelli makes in regard to attaining power of the prince is his advice that first he ought to induce any measures necessary to attain that position. At this level, the aspect of ethics and leadership is lost as he extends the notions of even a Prince’s use of immoral action to be in power5. Machiavelli supports this proposition of using the available means to acquire power by asserting that it would be futile for a leader to act virtuously in his ways of power acquisition simply because he would meet with disaster amongst those who were not virtuous.

It is this inclination that prompted many seekers of power to be ruthless and virtue departed their thrones. The book also helps in analyzing the idea of leadership and human nature in the sense that a leader ought not to be friendly to his people. He should exude fear. In this category, The Prince by Nicollo Machiavelli extends the proposition that a leader should always keep that atmosphere of superiority, of being feared, and this would definitely grant him the statesmanship position. In yet another observation within the book, Machiavelli points out that human nature is somehow flimsy since it depends on someone’s circumstances6.

In the leadership position, there ought to be a strong military base as this is an indication of the admirable laws within the state. This arrangement comes as an important aspect since the country also lies in part of being successful at war. This was his belief, which highly relied on the manipulation of human psychology7.