Machiavelli's The Prince - Essay Example

7, 2006) These principles have become insightful and meaningful political policies in the 16th century onwards in the European society. (http://www.123helpme.com/view.aspid=23518, Nov. 7, 2006) Although Machiavelli did not state directly how some European societies had failed in ruling them, he had specifically implied the thought through several examples that were presented in the book. But, The Prince did not, nevertheless, forget to point out those rulers who were worthy of praise in delivering the best principalities to its people.

As each ruler change, the challenges that he faces also changes. The more that the society looks forward to modernization, the more that the ruler meets a challenging and a more demanding society. Moreover, the challenges and his reactions to these challenges at the same time depend upon how he acquired the principality. Therefore, the newer the ruler becomes, the more difficult are the problems that he faces. "I say, then, that in hereditary states accustomed to the rule of their prince's family there are far fewer difficulties in maintaining them than in new states; for it suffices simply not to break ancient customs, and then to suit one's actions to unexpected events; in this manner, if such a prince is of ordinary ability, he will always maintain his state, unless some extraordinary and inordinate force deprive him of it; and although it may be taken away from him, he will regain it with the slightest mistake of the usurper.

"(Machiavelli, p. 8) Machiavelli's conclusions were based from his experiences and observations from the previous rulers that he had encountered. Furthermore, in order for the ruler to convene the challenges of the modern society such that of the European society, a set of values is needed to be put into practice. But coping up with these problems, or rather overcoming them still depends upon how they had acquired the principality. One of the most significant points Machiavelli had stressed out were those of the different policies or strategies that a ruler may employ in developing a good society.

The ruler's ability to exercise his power should be taken into account, as well as his ability to implement rules in the community. This may even encourage him to adopt new strategies in exercising his power up to an extent where he will be able to keep a hold on to the society he rules. There are however, traditional values that are found to be appropriate if applied in the modern society. Every principality should be governed differently such that every ruler faces his own difficulty in ruling the state.

Still, depending on the ways in which the ruler had acquired the principality, there is a need for him to examine the situations and the values that he should practice in order to appropriately direct the society, and at the same time save it from his enemies. "As I have said, when those states that are acquired are used to living by their own laws and in freedom, there are three methods of holding on to them: the first is to destroy them; the second is to go there in person to live; the third is to allow them to live with their own laws, forcing them to pay a tribute and creating therein a government made up of a few people who will keep