What are your thoughts on Niccolo Machiavelli?

Question

What do you think of his ideas?

Answer 1

Well, what most people don't know is that when Machiavelli wrote "The Prince" he was trying to curry favor and ingratiate himself with the royal family, who had basically terminated his role as political advisor a couple years before. The particular ruler happened to be a very ruthless man, so Nicolo was pretty much telling the guy what he thought he's want to hear. But, the strategies and ideals he layed down in his book are still read today, and some of them apply. Although in most democratic countries, where you have at least two parties, a lead cannot in reality be as ruthless as "the prince." More compromise and tact is needed in today's modern world. But a dictator in a totalaritarian regime, like Kim Jong Il could do quite well with them.

Answer 2

He seems like the ultimate pragmatist. He basically advocated any action which would aid the state, and therefore aid the ruler. He got around the pitfall of tyranny by saying the ruler shouldn't take action just to aid himself, only the state (therefore truely evil action wouldn't be allowed because it would inevitably harm the state)

Maybe this comes with more careful reading, but how is one supposed to know what harms or helps the state? Situations and popular opinion change and the future is unpredictable. It's easy to say, "only do good things", but you're screwed if something turns out to be a mistake.

Answer 3

His views, presented in his book The Prince, are still after many years so true regarding politics and ethics. Personally I think his ideas are caustic and cruel.

Answer 4

He had a number of clever strategies for winning, as long as you leave morality behind. Course, many these days do!

Answer 5

Really kewl!