Machiavelli Quiz 1

I agree that, if politics is defined as the exercise and struggle of power, the Prince is Machiavelli's statement that classical and Christian politics is unworkable. Throughout the book, he makes it clear there is little to no room for conscience or morality. He focuses not on what should be done or what is the "right" thing to be done, but totally on what works, what must be done to attain and retain power. His advice for conquering and controlling a state is very cut and dry, right to the point, and often harsh. For example, in chapter five, he states there are several ways to keep a principality that is used to living under its own laws: destroy it, live in it, or allow it to keep its own laws while subjecting it to a tribute. Machiavelli offers these three and then clearly states that the only sure-fire way is to destroy it. This is an example that shows he is only focused on what gets the job done, not what is right morally. Later, in chapter fifteen, Machiavelli states that the only ethic that really matters is the one that is beneficial to the prince in dealing with the concerns of his principality. To me, this is another example that he does not care about classical or Christian theory. A third and final example supporting this statement comes from chapter eighteen when Machiavelli says that a prince should only be as good circumstances allows him to be, and he should not hesitate to use evil to accomplish his goals.

I am not sure that I am totally in agreement with the second statement made in this qoute; that to Machiavelli, only power and brute force matter. I agree that he is saying that power and brute force are the only things that matter to gaining and staying in power. But I do not think this implies that it is the only thing that matters in general. In chapter seventeen, he claims that it would be best to be both loved and feared, but since there is rarely both, to remain in control it is always better to be feared. Yes, he again tells what will work, what will get the job done. But it seems that by him saying that it would be better to be loved and feared, he is saying that love and relationship do have their place, just not in princedoms.