Machiavellian Perception of Reality Essay examples

Machiavellian Perception of Reality Introduction Written almost five centuries ago during Italy’s era of fractious chaos, Niccolo Machiavelli’s, The Prince became the â€Å"How-To† book for the effective acquisition, governance, and retainment of power over principalities. Within the pages of this political treatise, Machiavelli duly explains the qualities of a successful prince. However, he also explains how the importance of these very qualities affect the prince’s public image and reputation and how these play a vital role in the retention of power while keeping others from conspiring and rising against him. The ideal prince should be virtuous in that in that he should be â€Å"merciful, faithful, humane, religious and upright†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦A respectable reputation is necessary since it parallels public image. The people will judge everything the prince publically says and does, which will then become his perceived reputation by those very people. â€Å"For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the above-named five qualities, that he may appear to him who see and hears him altogether merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and religious. There is nothing more necessary to appear to have than this last quality, inasmuch as men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, because it belongs to everybody to see you, to few to come in touch with you. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them; and in the actions of all men, and especially of princes, which it is not prudent to challenge, one judges by the result† (Machiavelli, Chapter XVIII, 2012). Machiavelli also confronts the reputational risks and concern of liberality and meanness. With liberality, the prince generally leaves the people alone mostly tax-free. Unfortunately, the more generously the prince gives, the poorer he will inevitably become. Thus, he creates the necessity of taxing the people, which fosters resentment among the people. However, Machiavelli states that it is better for the prince to be considered a miserShow MoreRelatedNiccolo Machiavelli s The Prince1699 Words   |  7 PagesFrom describing world leaders to political antiheroes in television dramas, characterizing someone as a â€Å"Machiavellian figure† is perceived more as derisive description than an accurate representation of that person’s philosophical views of power. This popular depiction is due to Niccolo Machiavelli’s harsh portrayal of the interlaced relationship between power and politics in his treatise, The Prince. Machiavelli begins his work by contending that it is â€Å"more effective† to reveal the â€Å"practicalRead MoreEssay about Machiavellian Concepts on the Use of Fear 1059 Words   |  5 Pagesfea r is the prince’s tool and his alone. â€Å"†¦men love at their own free will but fear at the will of the prince†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Politicians throughout history have used fear tactics with varying degrees of success. For the purpose of my argument I will compare Machiavellian concepts on the use of fear with contemporary examples to prove its benefits particularly in the consolidation of power and promotion of obedience. Machiavelli went to great lengths in his writing to outline rules governing the use of fear.Read MoreArgument Favor Of Establishing A Positive Culture1408 Words   |  6 Pagesindividual is only ever recognized for their mistakes, then it will not take long for that individual to see themselves as only making a negative contribution. They may begin to perceive themselves as a failure. In the world we live in your perception is your reality. If you perceive yourself as a failure you tend to behave as such to meet the expectation set of you. When managers create a negative culture they are effectively setting up their subordinates for failure. In contrast, when managers makeRead MoreClassical Realism Vs. Marxism1544 Words   |  7 Pagesowing Realism its theoretical endurance. Thucydides imparted the standard to which centuries of emerging Realists would adhere: write â€Å"not to win the applause of the moment, but as a possession for all time† (1972, p. 21). The Classical Realist perception of human nature finds its roots in and is perhaps best illustrated by its Renaissance pioneers – Thomas Hobbes and Niccolà ² Machiavelli. Machiavelli held that humans, in their natural state, were guided by a combination of wealth and free will (2000Read MoreMy Leadership Skills At An Early Age2824 Words   |  12 Pagesaligns with their goals. 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Similar to the examples provided before, totems are viable due to the mutual agreement formed regarding its functionality – its physical characteristics are designed by the owner to discretely behave abnormally in their own reality (dream or non-dream). Cobb possessesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie House Of Cards 1448 Words   |  6 Pagesseason 2. The show itself represents a critical and cynical look at US politics. This is further proven by the fact that Frank Underwood thrives in this system. The main critiques of the system come from the importance of the media and how public perception is a driving force in influencing politics, with many scandals making or breaking various politicians throughout the show. Another criticism is how modern politics has turned into its own version of Theater. Also, the show criticizes the lack ofRead MoreMacbeth As A Tyrant Essay1281 Words   |  6 Pagesby Lady Macbeth’s devious manipulations. Macbeth’s wife is more ruthless and ambitious than her husband. Her Machiavellian approach kept Macbeth on track towards the ultimate goal to the throne. Over and over again she questioned his manhood as if bravery has a direct link to murder. She even stated that she was willing to kill he r own baby to get what she wants. Such a graphic perception of the extent to which she would go was enough to push through all of Macbeth’s moral red lines. The manipulativeRead MoreNiccolo Machiavelli s The Prince Of Princes During The Florentine Republic1733 Words   |  7 Pages Machiavellian, nowadays, is a synonym for someone that is cruel and self-interested. While in reality, Niccolà ² Machiavelli, a counsellor of Princes during the Florentine Republic, was one of the greatest defenders of people’s liberty and political self-determination. He is depicted in such erroneous ways because his amoral and realist point of view was extremely controversial during the time he lived. Yet, the writer always defended the people and their interests as a whole. As mentioned beforeRead MoreNiccolà ² Machiavellis Acquisition of Power Essay1327 Words   |  6 Pagesrepresentative of Renaissance thinkers in his perception of government. No longer was government seen as an institution granted by God but rather governments were largely becoming arrangements or contracts between those that govern and the governed. Thinkers from Aristotle to Francis Bacon would expound on this idea of a social contract, but none would exemplify the realism and ruthlessness of modern politics like Machiavelli. While the word Machiavellian has become part of our lexicon as a term