Machiavelli?s View Of Human Nature Essay example -- essays research pa

Machiavellis view of human nature.Machiavelli has long been required reading for eitherone intrested in politics and power. In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a unique view on governing a state. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the only authority thatshould determine every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy which would serve his best interests. These interestswere gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. (Machiavelli,5). His understanding of human nature was a consummate contradiction of what everyone believed and taught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a physical society and feltmorality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an effectively governed principality. (Machiavelli,5). Although insome cases Machiavellis suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these views were derived from hisconcern for the welfare of his country.At Machiavellis time everyone believed that an individual had much to can to t he well macrocosm of the state, Machiavelliwas quick to mock human nature. He truly believed that humans are not ready to serve their country unless there is a specialbenefit to them as individuals. Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of the citizens and advises the Prince that mennever keep their explicate to you so you should never keep youre word to them. (Machiavelli,6). However, Machiavelli did notfeel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens. This suggestion is only to serve the Princes best interests.If a prince can not be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests, it would be bust for him to be feared by the citizenswithin his own principality. He makes the generalization that men are, "ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers they shun dangerand greedy for profit.(Machiavelli, 54). He characterizes men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest ofthe state. When the ruler is in danger they turn against him. Machiavelli rein forces the princes need to be feared by stating Men worry less about doing an injusry to one who makes himself loved than to one who makes himself feard. For love issecured by a bond of gratitude which men, wretched creatures that they are, break when it is to their advantage to do so butfear is strengthened by a dread of punishement which is always effective.... ...w Italy beseeches God to send someone to save her from those barbarouscruelties and outrages see how dullard and willing the country is tofollow a banner, if someone will raise it.18Although Italy had become the center of intellectual, artistic andcultural development, Machiavelli did not feel these qualities wouldhelp in securing Italys political future. His opinion was that Italyrequired a leader who could have complete control over Italys citizensand institutions. One way of maintaining control of was to institute a profane form of regime. 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 greatly transmit 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. Although Machiavelli 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."