Can The Prince be Applied to the Politics of Modern Society?

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Niccoló Machiavelli wrote The Prince in order to set forth certain guidelines the ruler of a state must follow in order to rule successfully. During Machiavelli’s time the world was filled with monarchies and other forms of government that act differently from the common democracy that is in the world today. Could a political book written in the 16th century still have value in today’s politics? In order to answer this question, this paper will take an in depth look at Barrack Obama, to determine whether he is following the guidelines Machiavelli has created. I argue that the majority of the guidelines are still followed today, thus The Prince sets forth ideas that still hold value in today’s political society. Niccolò di Bernadrdo de’ Machiavelli was a resident of Florence, Italy, andwas unable to participate in government due to the lack of his father’s wealth (Rebhorn, Introduction, pg.15). Little is known about Machiavelli’s youth; records of him don’t start showing up again until 1498 when he was reinstalled in the newly elected city government, which had just overthrown the Medici family. There he worked in numerous government positions until 1512 when Spain invaded Italy and the Medici family reclaimed power. They imprisoned him and he was eventually exiled outside of Florence. This is where he wrote The Prince, as a guide for Italy and Florence to have a balance of power and control. His writings are based on the current political atmosphere of his time and historical examples from other states, in order to create a certain guideline to monarchs on how they should rule (Rebhorn, Introduction, pg. 15). First Machiavelli gives the guidelines for how a new principality should be created from an existing one. In the ... ... middle of paper ... ...KWTX, 27 Oct. 2008. Web. 08 May 2014. Leigh, David, James Ball, Ian Cobain, and Jason Burke. "Guantánamo Leaks Lift Lid on World's Most Controversial Prison." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. Machiavelli, Niccolò, and Wayne A. Rebhorn. The Prince and Other Writings. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print. Manuel, Dave. "US Military Spending Over the Years." DaveManuel.com. N.p., 14 June 2010. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. McHenry, Robert. "Impeach Obama, Already?" Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Nov. 2008. Web. 08 May 2014. Peter, Bergen, Sterman David, Emily Schneider, and Bailey Cahall. "Do NSA's Bulk Surveillance Programs Stop Terrorists? | NewAmerica.org." Do NSA's Bulk Surveillance Programs Stop Terrorists? New America Foundation, 13 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

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