Niccolo' Machiavelli Thesis

Niccolo' Machiavelli's (1469 � 1527) thought reflects the fascination with power that was characteristic of the Italian Renaissance. Living in a tumultuous era, he was, throughout his life, preoccupied with the welfare of his country and of his native city, Florence.

The cause of a strong government was extremely important to Machiavelli, and he longed for a leader who would free his country from the disunity and corruption that plagued her. A republican who sought to serve Florence, Niccolo' Machiavelli occupied several official posts following the expulsion of Piero de Medici from the city in 1494. During his eighteen years of service, he showed himself to be unfailingly devoted to the public good. However, following the return of the Medici in 1512, Machiavelli, despite his attempts to ingratiate himself with them, was dismissed from office and later arrested and tortured as a conspirator. After his release, he retired to his farm outside the city to dedicate himself to study and writing. Ultimately, the Medici turned to Machiavelli for counsel, and upon Giulio de Medici's becoming Pope, Machiavelli represented him on a number of diplomatic assignments. When the Medici again was driven from Florence in 1527, he appeared on the threshold of a new career of service for the new republican government, but suddenly died after falling ill of a digestive ailment at the age of 58.

CHAPTER ONE: Niccolo' Machiavelli � Introduc

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iculty in attaining power, but once that is achieved, they keep it easily; and the difficulties they encounter in acquiring the principality grow, in part, out of the new institutions and methods they are obliged to introduce in order to found their state and their security." Such leaders can be further categorized into those who act on their own and those who depend on others. Those who act on their own are in a better position to maintain power once it is secured, since they do not have to depend on the continued good will of their followers. For these individuals, the greatest challenge lies in securing power since they have sufficient virtue to maintain power once it is acquired. A less stable category of leaders are those who have obtained their position of leadership through the power of others and must maintain their favor to continue to hold power. This situation is described in Chapter VII of The Prince. "Such men lack the knowledge and capacity to maintain their power. They lack the knowledge because, unless he has great intelligence and ability, it is to be expected that a man who has always lacked direct experience of public life should know how to rule. They lack the capacity because they do not have devoted

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