Machiavelli, Hobbes & Locke
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Machiavelli’s political theory may be viewed as immoral and unethical by some, but it is a theory that works within a corrupt environment. The era during which Niccolo Machiavelli lived was a time of turmoil, civil unrest and a time when the power of leaders was often in jeopardy. Absolute monarchy was becoming the popular form of rule during Machiavelli’s lifetime and this form of power was largely acquired through force. These developments made Machiavelli consider the nature of power and how best to maintain it in a newly formed or acquired state. This consideration lead him to formulate theories of maintaining power that involve force, coercion, and the underlying principle that the ends justify the means. Morality and ethics are situational to Machiavelli, and they always take a secondary position of importance to maintaining power and control over corrupt human nature. The end of Machiavelli’s theory is civil unity and the only sin is being unaware of how to bring about such an order. Often the only way to achieve this civil unity amid the chaos and corruption of human nature is force and force means war in Machiavelli. To Machiavelli, the chief tool of diplomacy is war. Yet, Machiavelli’s political theory is highly indifferent to the fate of the common man. The means are justified by the ends of the leader and might makes right. The true powerful leader is one who has a versatile m
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ed it is necessary for a rule to do things that may not seem right by themselves, but which are right because they are necessary to prevent the greatest evil – the loss of law and order, i.e., power and ultimately the state. In other words, morality or ethics in Machiavelli’s worldview are situational, judged solely by their ability to achieve the ends of maintaining power. In this reality, the needs of the common people or the collective common good are relegated to an inferior position of significance. The true prince will appear virtuous and filled with piety to the common people, conditions that are necessary to have their support in times of adversity and conditions that are easy to maintain because men judge by superficial appearances. However, underneath, the true leader will maintain a second identity that is based on one goal alone, maintaining power and law and order. To do otherwise would surely result in the loss of power and the state “A certain prince of out time, whom it is well not to name, never preached anything but peace and good faith; but if he had always observed either the one or the other, it would in most instances have cost him his reputation or his state” (Machiavelli 88). Machiavelli’s political
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Approximate Word count = 2550
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)
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