02-18-2011, 11:19 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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"In today’s society, if someone is to accuse a person of being Machiavellian, they would conjure up images of a cunning and reproachable type of human being. This infamous reputation is attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli, who penned The Prince in 1513. Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language defines Machiavellian as being that which is “characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty.” This definition is not entirely warranted or true to the message Machiavelli intends for his advice to convey. The Prince is not written to excuse the actions of those in a position of power, but to be a persuasive and practical handbook for officials to unite Florence and Italy, and ultimately maintain authority over her. Machiavelli’s main concern, which is evident in The Prince, is the stability of his homeland.
Machiavelli places a considerable amount of weight on the factions of war. In fact, he states a prince must not have any other “profession but war” (“Prince” 37). However, his emphasis on military superiority does not perpetuate the idea that Machiavelli is unscrupulously cunning. In a very practical way, he points out the necessities of having leaders who preceded him. A competent military is a way to ensure his state’s longevity, and should not be seen as Machiavellian.
Having a skilled and ready military. We only have to look as far as our own military to see the benefits of having strong and resourceful branches able to deploy or defend at a moment’s notice. Machiavelli stresses the importance of military preparedness, but does not condone frivolous wars or acts of violence towards passive states. On the contrary, he wants the prince to know his history thoroughly, so he would not be doomed to repeat it, and to follow in the honorable footsteps of the esteemed.
In conclusion, the term “Machiavellian” when used to describe someone, or something as being unscrupulous, dishonest, and crafty, is a misrepresentation and distortion of the facts. Niccolo Machiavelli was a statesman deeply concerned with the country in which he lived."
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