In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing astate that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authoritydetermining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy whichwould serve his best interests. These interests were gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power.
His understanding of human nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed andtaught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and feltmorality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of aneffectively governed principality.
Though in come cases Machiavelli’ssuggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these viewswere derived out of concern Italy’s unstable political condition.
Though humanists of Machiavelli’s time believed that an individualhad much to offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quickto mock human nature. Humanists believed that “An individual only’grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally- throughparticipation’ in the life of the state.
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Machiavelli generallydistrusted citizens, stating that “…in time of adversity, when thestate is in need of it’s citizens there are few to be found.”
Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of the citizens andadvises the Prince that “…..because men a wretched creatures who wouldnot keep their word to you, you need keep your word to them.”
However, Machiavelli did not feel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens. This suggestion once again to serve the Prince’s best interests. If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests,it would be better for him to be feared bey the citizens within his ownprincipality.
He makes the generalization that men are, “…ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy forprofit; while you treat them well they are yours. ”
He characterizesmen as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interestof the state,”[and when the prince] is in danger they turn against(him).”
Machiavelli reinforces the prince’s need to be feared bystating: Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself lovedthan to one who makes himself feared. The bond of love is one whichmen, wretched creatures they are, break when it is to their advantage todo so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is alwayseffective.
In order to win honor, Machaivelli suggests that a prince must bereadily willing to deceive the citizens. One way is to “…show hisesteem for talent actively encouraging the able and honouring those whoexcel in their professions…so that they can go peaceably about theirbusiness.”
By encouraging citizens to excel at their professions hewould also be encouraging them to “..increase the prosperity of thetheir state.”11 These measures, though carried out in deception, wouldbring the prince honor and trust amongst the citizens, especially thosewho were in the best positions to oppose him. Machiavelli postulates that a prince must also deceive those who attempt to flatter him. [In] choosing wise men for his government and allowing those thefreedom to speak the truth to him, and then only concerning matters onwhich he asks their opinion, and nothing else. But he should alsoquestion them toughly and listen to what they say; then he should makeup his own mind.12 Since each person will only advice the prince in accord to his owninterests, the prince must act on his own accord. Machiavellidiscourages action to taken otherwise “…since men will always do badlyby (the prince unless they are forced to be virtuous. ”
Machiavelli actively promoted a secular form of politics. He laidaside the Medieval conception “of the state as a necessary creation forhumankinds spiritual, material, and social well-being.”In such astate,”[a] ruler was justified in his exercise of political power onlyif it contributed to the common good of the people he served, [and] theethical side of a princes activity…ought to [be] based on Christianmoral principles…” Machiavelli believed a secular form ofgovernment to be a more realistic type. His views were to the benefitof the prince, in helping him maintain power rather than to serve to thewell being of the citizens. Machiavelli promoted his belief by stating: The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every waynecessarily comes to grief among those who are not virtuous. Therefore,if a prince wants to maintain his rule he must learn not to be sovirtuous, and to make use of this or not according to need. Machiavelli’s was that, “God does not want to do everythingHimself, and take away from us our free will and our share of glorywhich belongs us.”
Having studied and experienced Italy’s political situation, Machiavelli derived these views. He felt that his suggestions wouldprovide a frame work for a future prince of Italy to bring aboutpolitical stability. Machiavelli writes: Italy is waiting to see who can be the one to heal her wounds, put andend to the sacking of Lombardy, to extortion in the Kingdom and in Tuscany, and cleanse those sores which have been festering so long. Seehow Italy beseeches God to send someone to save her from those barbarouscruelties and outrages; see how eager and willing the country is tofollow a banner, if someone will raise it.18 Although Italy had become the center of intellectual, artistic andcultural development, Machiavelli did not feel these qualities wouldhelp in securing Italy’s political future. His opinion was that Italyrequired a leader who could have complete control over Italy’s citizensand institutions. One way of maintaining control of was to institute secular form of government. This would allow the prince to governwithout being morally bound. Machiavelli’s view of human nature was notin accord to that of humanists who felt that an individual could greatlycontribute to the well being of the society. Machiavelli, however feltthat people generally tended to work for their own best interests andgave little obligation to the well being of the state. AlthoughMachiavelli doubted that this form of government could ever beestablished it did appear several years after he wrote The Prince. Machiavelli has become to be regarded as “the founder of modern day,secular politics.”
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