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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page paper which critically analyzes Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" to determine whether or not his views on politics and humanity are still relevant today. No additional sources are used.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TG15_TGnmprin.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
It was written, essentially, as a "how to" handbook, to instruct Lorenzo de Medici on the edicts of proper princely leadership. Machiavelli applied his views on human nature and
his knowledge of the politics of his time to prepare the young Medici for the challenges which would be facing him. The Prince wasnt published until 1532, several years
after its authors death, and it has been left to the historians and political scientists to determine what Machiavellis treatise was saying about humanity. Unfortunately, there is little general
consensus, except that Machiavelli did not share the Christian view that man is essentially good. In the world of Niccolo Machiavelli, man was basically weak, and therefore, susceptible to the
deceptive seductiveness of evil. This is not to imply that man does not wish to be virtuous. It simply is not within his nature to do so.
In fact, according to Machiavelli, "A man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil"
(The Prince). Virtue is the characteristic of perfect goodness; and therefore, since human beings are flawed and far from perfect, it is an impossible and unrealistic goal to achieve.
In Machiavellis view, it is mans desire to attain the unattainable, which is the greatest threat to humanity. As soon as he accepts the fact that evil is
always going to be part of the picture, whether in human nature or in politics, a leader will be more successful at accomplishing his objectives. Machiavelli detailed what he considered
to be ideal leadership qualities in Chapters 17 through 19 of The Prince. He was extremely candid in his comments about these desirable characteristics, and how a prince should
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