machiavellianism

Nico Machiavelli was an early 16th century writer. One of his essays, “The Prince” is thought to be an advice for current and future monarchs. He focused on the question of power; how to get and keep it. During the European Wars of Religion both protestants and catholics blamed Machiavelli for inspiring their opponents to commit acts of violence and tyranny. Even Shakespeare used the phrase “machiavel” to describe an amoral opportunist. Now, the term machiavellian is used as a synonym for manipulative villainy. In his book “the Prince” he introduces the idea that the ends justify the means – so basically any action is acceptable as long as it leads to expected outcome. Decades after the book was published it gained rather diabolical reputation.

The philosopher Isaiah berlin suggested that “The Prince” rather than being amoral refers to ancient Greek morality – placing glory of the state above Christian ideal of salvation by individuals. This explanation might not be realistic.

Knowing that later in his life, Machiavelli was tortured and banished from his native Florence when the Medici family took power, we can assume that what he wrote on his exile wasn’t a defense of princely rule, but a malignant description of how it operates.

Machiavelli may have written a guide for future tyranny rulers but he also revealed those strategies for those who potentially would be ruled.


source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUlGtrHCGzs

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