Machiavelli: The Realist Essay

Political pragmatism did not become a best-selling(predicate) concept until it was discussed by Niccol Machiavelli, making him unrivaled of the most influential philosophers. According to another(prenominal) philosopher, Francis Bacon, Machiavelli was the founder of a new, objective perception of politics, concerned not with what should be, tho with what is, not with hopes and fears, but with pr biteical realities (Wootton XXXVII). Machiavellis vade mecum for princes, titled The Prince, takes the world as it is and gives advice through with(predicate) the backchat of real world examples. liquid ecstasy Lerner, the deceased Ameri bottomland journalist, once verbalized, whitethorn I venture a surmisal as to the tenability why we cool it shudder slightly at Machiavellis diagnoseIt is our recognition that the realities he hounds argon realities that hands, whether in politics, in business, or in private tone, do not peachy turn according to their professions of virt ue. When quite a little take away Machiavellis text they argon astounded by some of his remarks. However, he persistently practices examples to corroborate that what he is saying. Although spate may not want to accept his comments, he is scarcely making observations. Throughout his handbook, it is made evident that Machiavelli is indeed a realist. Throughout his handbook, Machiavelli makes it evident that he is indeed a realist through his examination of why a fealty to integrity and virtue is not manageable for successful leadership, but deception, cruelty, and war atomic number 18 essential.The essential perception of reporting what real occurs is expressed by Machiavelli. In explaining his aim for writing The Prince, he states, But my hope is to write a book that leave alone be useful, at least to those who read it intelligently, and so I thought it commonsensible to go straight to a discussion of how things be in real life and not waste time with a discussion of an fanciful world (Machiavelli 48). dissimilar most other philosophers, Machiavelli does not cogitate in creating a utopia. He prefers to state the truth and make conclusions based on real events, which is exactly what he does passim the text.According to MachiavelliMany authors strike constructed imaginary republics and principalities that have never existed in f are and never could for the gap between how people in truth behave and how they ought to behave is so great that anyone who ignores everyday reality in secern to live up to an angel depart in short discover he has been taught how to destroy himself, not how to pre practice himself. (Machiavelli 48) Machiavelli uses examples from the pass time as well as the late(prenominal) to illustrate his advice for the princes. For example, Machiavelli refers to a coetaneous Italian prince, whom he feels is a bewilder of the ideal prince, on several(prenominal) occasions. His name is Cesare Borgia, the son of Pope Alexand er VI. superstar time Machiavelli refers to him is when discussing individuals who acquire principalities through fortune. instead of creating a hypothetical situation in which a person receives principalities through luck and making up possible outcomes, Machiavelli in a flash cites Borgia who received land from his father. He asserts, Cesare Borgia, who was c solelyed Duke Valentino by the common people, acquired his state thanks to the sound fortune of his father, and when that came to an end he lost(p) it (Machiavelli 22). By using real occurrences, Machiavellis advice becomes more convincing. The people know that he is basing his guidance on events which have real taken place, and therefore they accept more of what he has to say.Machiavellis criticism of merciful nature is infamous for the obvious reason that he bashes human being. The words he uses to describe humans all have a negative connotation. composition they may be incredibly harsh, he is only stating the tr uth. Machiavelli explains, For of men one rear, in general, say this They are ungrateful, fickle, deceptive and deceiving, obviateers of danger, eager to gain (Machiavelli 52). While some may argue that they do not possess these negative characteristics, Machiavelli dis declares argumentation that while they may not commemorate them, they are capable of them.He continues on to describe humans as being self-preserved. As unyielding as you serve their interests, they are devoted to you. They promise you their blood, their possessions, their lives, and their children, as I said before, so long as you memorisem to have no need of them. But as soon as you need help, they turn against you (Machiavelli 52). battalion are leaveing to give up all that they have, but when the time comes to actually give their belongings away, they head for the hills away. This speculation that humans are being of unpitying self-interest follows with semipolitical realism.Machiavelli furthers his n egative remarks to the highest degree human beings when he discusses virtue. Based on Machiavellis use of the word virtue, he seems to be referring to qualities that would earn praise. He states several praiseworthy characteristics that most humans would withdraw are beneficial to possess. Machiavelli continues pointing out straight I know everyone will agree that if a formula could have all the pricey qualities I have listed and no(prenominal) of the bad ones, so this would be an keen state of affairs. But one thronenot have all the wide-cut qualities, nor always act in a praiseworthy fashion, for we do not live in an ideal world. (Machiavelli 48) While his point is intended for princes, it can be applied to humans as well.His earlier case about humans being self-absorbed and fickle can apply here as well. He acknowledges that it would be get around for society if everyone acted virtuously, but it is not an ideal world. Therefore, since not everyone can possess only good qualities, he turns to a blatant reality that people must be deceiving. They need to postulate to have positive characteristics in erect to fool those who oppose them. He believes the good traits are more advantageous if a person merely seems to possess them. A person should seem to be compassionate, trustworthy, sympathetic, honest, and religious instead of actually being those things.Machiavelli makes consume that virtue is not possible for a prince to be successful. He emphasizes the need for deception, and then moves on to discuss cruelty. Machiavelli explains that while it is good to be loved by your people, it is emend to be feared. This is because men who love you will detain loyal until they fear their interests are at stake and run away. If the men are afraid of you, then they will not be able to run away because their fear will prevent them. Machiavelli states, for it is impossible to keep an army unite and ready for action without acquiring a reputation for cruelt y (Machiavelli 52). If a prince wants restraint and order, then he needs to be feared. According to Machiavelli, cruelty is the way to strain this goal and is essential if a prince wishes to discover his power.The third necessity for a prince to remain a leader is to be flop during war. Machiavelli, who clearly believes it is important to refer to the olden as a guide, advises rulers to read archives books and study the actions of men who succeeded. He declares, A ruler should see how they conducted themselves when at war, study why they won some battles and lost others, so he will know what to imitate and what to avoid (Machiavelli 47). By learning about past leaders, a prince can imitate the actions of historic figures who are admirable in order to make himself better.Machiavellis emphasis on war may come from the item that, during this time, Italy is in pieces, and he wishes for it to be united. He encourages rulers to only think of military matters and states that in time of peace he should be even more occupied with them than in time of war (Machiavelli 46). A prince should unceasingly be a step onwards of his enemies, and, therefore, needs to persistently focus on how he can be better prepared for war. By having a good army and a set plan, a ruler is able to maintain his power.Although many an(prenominal) people criticize Machiavelli for his outrageous political realism, he was discussing the truth about reality. close to people may see it as harsh, but sometimes the truth hurts. Machiavelli states, So it is necessary for a ruler, if he wants to learn on to power, to learn how not to be good, and to know when it is and when it is not necessary to use this knowledge (Machiavelli 48). He explains in shrewdness why honesty and virtue are not factors in determining a princes success. Instead, a prince needs to be deceiving, cruel, and a powerful military ruler in order to keep his power. workings CitedMachiavelli, Niccol. The Prince. Trans. Davi d Wootton. Indianapolis Hackett, 1995. Print.