Machiavelli's View On Human Nature

Governments are needed in order for society to function, but depending on the time period and the location each ruling is different because some praise a ruler while others lean more towards society as a whole (government for the people and by the people). The essence of human nature varies from one individual to another. Philosophers such as Niccolo Machiavelli, Karl Marx and John Locke all have different views regarding human nature which stem from their perspective on human reason. Their models of how an effective government should be run are demonstrated in The Prince, The Communist Manifest and Second Treatise of Government. Each display a peculiar examination of about human nature and how it correlates with the purpose of government.

People’s childlike image springs from the various passions each individual encompasses, but they fall short in paralleling the chastity the young possess. Sadly they are fickle, impatient, selfish and deceitful. However, other qualities they use are awareness of a troublesome situation and the act of avoiding it at full cost in order for them not to be involved and cause harm to themselves and others. He strongly believed that humans had the capacity to be rational. Luckily humans can work together to achieve a common goal whether it be conquest for acquisition, protection from conquest or refuge from one another. Machiavelli came to the realization that an organizing force of control was greatly needed to suppress peoples somewhat unsociable natures. In the, Prince, he provides logical stigmas a ruler or government should have in order to shape human nature into a functioning society. The basic elements of control are the following cruelty, hatred, fear and the benefactor of love. He analyses each aspect and establishes its advantages towards the designed mission of the governing body, which should sufficiently allow the common good to prosper. In addition, he came to the conclusion that love was not an adequate method of ruling due to the fact that it lacks binding force. Although people will promise to give up “…their blood, their possessions, their lives, and their children...” however, in the middle of a consequence they will dismiss the emotion of love and yield (Machiavelli, p. 66). The ruler would have no absolute power if his authority were situated on love because before people say one thing but when the moment actually comes they turn to fear and panic and do not act upon their previous