Maquiavelli: The Prince

Question 1

What was Niccolo Machiavellis background?

Answer 1

Italian diplomat, politician, philosopher

Most know work: The Prince

Some argue, he is the father of the modern state view.

Question 2

What is the nature of power in Machiavellis perspective?

Answer 2

State with specific orginazation

Republics –> Collective sovereignty

Principalities –> Individual sovereignty (The Prince)

Question 3

The different types of principalities, divided in hereditary and new.

Answer 3

Hereditary (the power continue in the family)
- Despotic (North Korea)
- Monarchy (The danish royalties)

New rulers (All new princes are tyrants, argue Machiavelli)
- Virtue (Nelson Mandela)
- Fortune (Saudi Arabian Oil companies)
- Violence (The Nazi)
- Consensus (The catholic church)

Question 4

What is the theory of governments

Answer 4

That a government follows a round shape. In the beginning a steep incline of power and in the end a big decline of power.

Question 5

How do a state reason?

Answer 5

Instrumental rationality

The different instruments
- Fortune
- virtue
- violence
- consensus
- A good relationship (apperance) with the people

Does the good ruler have to be a good man? Machiavelli argues that “violence is necessary”.

Question 6

What classify governments succes?

Answer 6

Stability, capacity to maintain and gain power.