Machiavelli Essay Samples

In 1513, Machiavelli wrote a masterpiece namely ‘The Prince’ which remained a center of the debate for several centuries. The main crux of the book is about the ideal qualities of a successful political leader of getting and maintaining the power.
According to Machiavelli, a successful leader is one who may not possess all the ideal qualities of leadership but he should act as he possesses all of them. Appearance is the biggest art that a successful leader is able to present in front of his kingdom. As stated in the book: ‘a prince will be fortunate who adjusts his behavior to the temper of times’.
Moreover, Machiavelli states that a successful leader should be able to disguise his true character in front of its people. He should be stingy and cruel, but he should appear as generous and merciful in front of his people. Moreover, a successful leader should be ruthless but he should act as just in front of his people as goodwill of the people is the better defense than any fortress. His point is explained by the following quotes: ‘it seems to me better to follow the real truth of things rather than an imaginary view of them. For many republics and princedoms have been imagined that were never seen or known to exist in reality’.
A successful political leader in the sight of Machiavelli is one who pays close attention to military affairs. He should befriend his armed troops and take them into his confidence to sustain powers. The book states this point in the phrases written by Machiavelli as: ‘a new prince should arm his unarmed subjects because their arm becomes yours’.
One more quality of a successful leader is he undertakes great projects to enhance his position and complete them on stated time as stated by Machiavelli: ‘the prince would form together a single and a complete work’.

References:

Machiavelli, Niccolo, and W. K. Marriott.The Prince. Waiheke Island: Floating, 2008. Print.