Machiavellis, The Prince

Introduction
The hierarchy of politics in ancient times was clearly defined. Kings rules many kingdoms thus they were heads of the various kingdoms. Their sons inherited the thrones since the system was patriarchal. The women were to be princesses, but the sons took the throne and continued their duties as kings and princes. Machiavelli used his scholarly tricks to bring out the philosophy of the renaissance in that century. It is important to note that scholars and kings occupied the top echelons of the social class, and were charged mainly with major decision making responsibilities. This is as a result of the revelation and adoption of various classical works. The renaissance included the adoption of works from the Greek philosophers’ school of thought, philosophical theories on humanity and commercial revolution towards adoption of modern states. Machiavelli was an interesting character since he ensured that his theories were sold in various quarters and highlighted the society as it is, describing princes as the de facto power rulers who held the society together. According to Bush & Randall (2015) some of the characteristics of the prince in connection with renaissance, are highlighted in this text and in a philosophical context, we will analyze all of them.
What characteristics of the Renaissance are often regarded as setting it apart from the middle Ages?
The renaissance was a revolutionary age according to Tirillis & Demitris (2015), since new schools of thought were adopted. Most Greek philosophers were alive during this era and they ensured that the view of the world on their philosophical thought and economics changed. Religion was a major part of the renaissance since thinking was altered when it came to religion. Most medieval scholars visualized an ideal world that was supposed to be, but in the renaissance age, the thinking leaned towards a real world where the thoughts and philosophies were more refined. Most people embraced religion with the pope at the helm of the religious society. He was believed to be a direct connection to God, and that he was the chosen representative on earth. Evidence of this includes the Vatican, which is considered the holiest city with world’s secrets. The “original bible” is said to reside in a safe inside the Vatican. The papacy is a sacred seat, and highly coveted among religious circles, but still held in high regard, since it is a unifying factor for the church. The church which formed an important part of the society in the renaissance age.
The kingship was another phenomenon swept out and brought in a new political system whereby an economic angle was explored. The need to get the economies going was a rush. Many industries came into being from textile, to trade and agrarian revolution and most kingdoms needed a system to help them keep track of finances, have capable warriors and a stable political condition to encourage trade. Real governments were formed with a presidential system put into place. There was one ruler in every federal state to ensure that taxes, economics and many other activities being done for the benefit of the people. Princes was a title given to new age emperors who not only were tax collectors, but political decision makers in the context of ensuring that the country’s political atmosphere is stable and friendly. This was a new trend and many republics were catching up. Inheritance was for the princes on their predecessors but in the new age there was a quorum on who to be chosen to lead the people.
What characteristics of a successful prince does Machiavelli stress?
The prince was held in high regard since he was the de facto leader in the federal state. Machiavelli said that the prince was responsible for the taxes, political decisions and most religious decisions in the state. The most important decision including directing wars in the world in that renaissance time. Most leaders were considered powerful in terms of decisions of the church, decisions of politics and economics. Most princes were miserly since they collected tax from people and ensured development. A miserly prince is one that considers the importance of economics and driving the economy forward. Tax collection and accountability are some of the most important characteristics of a prince to ensure the continuity of the state. A considerate soul for the poor. The taxes are to be collected by those who are able to pay and sustain their living. Taking from those who have none is mean, a characteristic that a prince possesses but do not abuse it.
A prince being mean includes being strict. When the rules of the land are not followed, it is important for the punishment to be reasonable. Most subjects follow the rules when the prince is just and considerate. The most important aspect of the prince is that the seat unifies the people, like the presidential system in the modern world today. Trade and commerce is another consideration for a wise prince since they know the requirements for a prosperous state. Creating an enabling environment for commerce shows a considerate prince.
Faith is another characteristic of a prince that leaves admiration among subjects. The ability to keep your faith, in the medieval times was difficult. The papacy was put to talks to ensure the religion aspect of society is cemented. The need to streamline the religious sector of the society drove the pope to go to war with kings and princes. A prince holding his faith commanded a lot of respect from the society. The faith should be held but with cunning nature. It is important to show your might as a prince but at the same time show cunningness. Machiavelli depicted it well with Alexander the great, who in many ways was a leader and a warrior. He was a religious leader, cunning in nature and always ensured his people were well taken care of. This commands respect in your court and a leader is able to make decisions wisely without being questioned.
What elements of this source make it clear that it belongs to the Renaissance and not the Middle Ages?
Taxes were a new economic venture in the renaissance age. In medieval time, it was not defined as a state or kingdom remittance but rather a gift to the ruler. This ensured that the ruler was always rich and the subjects’ poor, seeing that they were chosen by God to lead. This was not the case in the renaissance since the tax collected was used to fund wars, build new infrastructure and improve economies. In addition, the religious practices were new age since there was papacy in place and were involved in decision making of the people in this new world. The instances of Pope Julius the third going to war with the Greeks ensured that the religion of Christianity was cemented in the modern world and used to steer it into the new millennium. Moreover, the federal state system which was adopted during the renaissance and from this a new government was formed to ensure peace and order in the society.
What elements of this source reflect the political conditions of Italy at the time that Machiavelli wrote?
The religious war in Italy was one of the indications of political turmoil during the renaissance. After invasion of the Greeks, they were left to deal with aftermath of the war with many people migrating to other states leaving the political scene with Caesar as the head. He ruled with an iron fist as it was a warlord taking power without reason or ability to rule. It was important for him to get the taxes up, combine forces with the papacy and be able to defend his territory for his own benefit. Machiavelli analyses the philosophy behind the politics and shows how the pope, together with Pontius used their power to rule over people, a phenomenon not liked by many since they were cunning and mean to people, their friends and enemies.
In summary, the medieval times were marred with violence, plagues and other atrocities that could not be accounted for. In his own words, Machiavelli saw the essence of an organized society with a hierarchy in terms of leadership. The government was a construct to bring order in society in terms of political direction, service delivery to the poor and an enabling environment to so business in. the government system achieved all this in the renaissance since there was reprieve to see systems work for the betterment of the people. The new age was welcomed with trade and commerce, government, parliamentary systems and overall organized societies that wanted progress. The religion was an aspect of society used to give credence to leaders, consult on issues of faith and also war. The society was organized in social strata that separated the medieval times from middle ages. The upper echelons of power were the rich merchants, business men and traders. In the lower echelons were the middle class and the poor. Society was in urban and rural setup since most trade occurred in the urban set up of the states.


References
Bush, Randall. “The Prince against Prudence: On Textuality, Reading, and Politics in Rhetorical Theory.” Philosophy & Rhetoric, vol. 48, no. 3, 2015, pp. 241–265. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/philrhet.48.3.0241.
Jackson, Michael, and Damian Grace. “Machiavelli's Shadows in Management, Social Psychology and Primatology.” Theoria: A Journal of Social and Political Theory, vol. 62, no. 142, 2015, pp. 67–84., www.jstor.org/stable/24719952.
Tillyris, Demetris. “'Learning How Not to Be Good': Machiavelli and the Standard Dirty Hands Thesis.” Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, vol. 18, no. 1, 2015, pp. 61–74. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/24478679.