Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Relevancy...and Not
The impact of Machiavelli's writing on politics has been accepted for some time, but the relevance of his ideas to business had to wait until the second half of the nineteenth century, when companies began to operate as large, complex organizations -- the equivalent in Machiavelli's terms of a move from tribal society to corporate state (Perseus Publishing Staff, Basic Books, Editors of Perseus Publishing). Most of these relevant concepts we have already discussed.
Though the Prince is much sought after as a manual for modern-day leadership and management, some of the 1500s tactics he espouses are, for the most part, not relevant today, at least in the U.S. However, it must be said that Machiavelli is far more relevant today than not Smith). One could imagine that Machiavelli's modern-day CEO would be aggressive, untrustworthy, self-serving, and manipulative -- "Machiavellian" in other words. The best leaders, according to the author, were those who practiced cruel or evil acts as a matter of necessity rather than because their positions allowed it.
It would be very rare, even with our military leaders today, that "cruel or evil acts" would ever become a necessity in retaining their positions.
Machiavelli gives advice that, again and again, ignores all...
Granted, it was a different time and place from modern-day America, and the Prince must be reread in that context to gain the real essence of what the author is saying. He is accused of creating the concept, "the end justifies the means." Not only did he not originate it, he never said it. Yet it remains one pillar of "Machiavellian" meaning anything and everything evil.
Bibliography
By Perseus Publishing Staff, Basic Books, Editors of Perseus Publishing. Movers and Shakers: the 100 most influential figures in modern business. New York: Basic Books, 2003.
CiteULike. "The New Machiavelli: The Art of Politics in Business: An abstract." February 2008. CiteULike.com. 18 March 2009 http://www.citeulike.org/user/Chang.
Halsall, Paul. "Medievil Source Book: Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince [excerpts], 1513." November 1996. Fordham University. 17 March 2009 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/prince-excerp.html.
Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. London: Waking Lion Press, 2006.
Pollock, Frederick. An Introduction to the History of the Science of Politics. London: MacMillan, 1935.
Smith, Nicole. "Violence, Fear, and Glory in the Prince by Machiavelli." 2008. articlemyriad.com. 19 March 2009 http://www.articlemyriad.com/196.htm.
Bibliography
By Perseus Publishing Staff, Basic Books, Editors of Perseus Publishing. Movers and Shakers: the 100 most influential figures in modern business. New York: Basic Books, 2003.
CiteULike. "The New Machiavelli: The Art of Politics in Business: An abstract." February 2008. CiteULike.com. 18 March 2009 http://www.citeulike.org/user/Chang.
Halsall, Paul. "Medievil Source Book: Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince [excerpts], 1513." November 1996. Fordham University. 17 March 2009 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/prince-excerp.html.
Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. London: Waking Lion Press, 2006.
Smith, Nicole. "Violence, Fear, and Glory in the Prince by Machiavelli." 2008. articlemyriad.com. 19 March 2009 http://www.articlemyriad.com/196.htm.
Hence he advises that a prince should never rest from military thought. Especially in times of peace, a prince must engage in honing his skills and in studying military strategies. Relationship of the New Prince with the People Machiavelli realizes the importance of the new prince's relationship with the people and he has repeatedly emphasized its necessity in the Prince. Gaining Support of the People: When a new prince acquires a new
MACHIAVELLI's THE PRINCE Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince is one of the most controversial yet enduring political manifestos regarding the differing types of military affairs, principalities, and qualities of a great leader. The Prince has been referenced by academics, directors of corporations, and politicians for centuries, as it provides general, historically proven advice for principalities and republics on how to govern and maintain relations with their most important resource and the essential
However, it was after his imprisonment that Machiavelli showed 'Machiavellian' traits, as he tried to pursue his political philosophy by gaining his once-deferred power by the Medici family. Machiavelli shows his Machiavellianism by devising ways to win their favor once again, and these ways include creating discourses that reflect the family's method of governing Italy. By reflecting through the image of the Medici family the image of resolute and
What is almost funny about this tactic is that Machiavelli notes the importance of specific circumstances throughout the chapter immediately before making generalized statements, but when it comes to actually judging the efficacy of fortresses, he refrains. However, this does not mean that he does not come up with a general pronounce, it just means that this general pronouncement takes the form of a discussion of the importance of specific
This belief came in response to the realities of the time that saw corruption and lust for riches as the main interests in the political life. Both Gandhi and Machiavelli saw self restrain as an important quality, even though the reasons deferred. In today's political life, there is more and more evidence of the applicability of the concepts advocated by Machiavelli centuries ago. The constant use of the notion Machiavellian
46). These ideas are actually in direct contradiction to the prevailing religious philosophies of the time. Machiavelli does not seed men judged by God, or even by other men -- but instead by whether the deed one sought was accomplished or not; and if that deed has eventual ramifications that may be good. This Prince may come to power through evil means from himself, from others, or through historical forces.