Synopsis "The Prince"
Classics for Your Collection: goo.gl/U80LCr --------- Written by Niccolo' Machiavelli in the 1500s, The Prince has continued to be a best seller through the centuries inspiring and captivating millions of hearts. This classic book researches the accomplishment, maintenance, and using political power in the western world. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning politics and ethics. Machiavelli said that The Prince would be about princedoms, mentioning that he has written about republics elsewhere (possibly referring to the Discourses on Livy although this is debated), but in fact he mixes discussion of republics into this in many places, effectively treating republics as a type of princedom also, and one with many strengths. New conquests added to older states Machiavelli generalizes that there were several virtuous Roman ways to hold a newly acquired province, using a republic as an example of how new princes can act. More generally, Machiavelli emphasizes that one should have regard not only for present problems but also for the future ones. One should not "enjoy the benefit of time" but rather the benefit of one's virtue and prudence, because time can bring evil as well as good. Conquest by fortune, meaning by someone else's virtue (Chapter 7) According to Machiavelli, when a prince comes to power through luck or the blessings of powerful figures within the regime, he typically has an easy time gaining power but a hard time keeping it thereafter, because his power is dependent on his benefactors' goodwill. He does not command the loyalty of the armies and officials that maintain his authority, Conquests by "criminal virtue" (Chapter 8) Conquests by "criminal virtue" are ones in which the new prince secures his power through cruel, immoral deeds, such as the execution of political rivals. Machiavelli advises that a prince should carefully calculate all the wicked deeds he needs to do to secure his power, and then execute them all in one stroke, such that he need not commit any more wickedness for the rest of his reign. In this way, his subjects will slowly forget his cruel deeds and his reputation can recover. Princes who fail to do this, who hesitate in their ruthlessness, find that their problems mushroom over time and they are forced to commit wicked deeds throughout their reign. Thus they continuously mar their reputations and alienate their people. The Qualities of a Prince Each of the following chapters presents a discussion about a particular virtue or vice that a prince might have, and is therefore structured in a way which appears like traditional advice for a prince. However, the advice is far from traditional. Then, we have other great chapters: Generosity vs. parsimony Cruelty vs. Mercy Reputation of a prince A Prince's Duty Concerning Military Matters In what way princes should keep their word Avoiding contempt and hatred The Prudence of the Prince Gaining honors Nobles and staff Avoiding flatterers Fortune Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy!
