IntroductionNicolas Machiavelli's seminal work of political science, The Prince, directed against a prince of the powerful Medici family of Florence, was the subject of numerous debates over the centuries. since it was published. Decried by many as a brazen and unapologetic map of despotism, it has also been read as a careful treatise on the ultimate responsibilities of a government to its citizens. It is of course impossible to know Machiavelli's true intentions in writing this treatise - whether his intentions were consciously nefarious and whether the work was intended solely to ingratiate himself with Lorenzo de' Medici, or whether he truly saw a better method to obtain and exercise power. and the right to do so. The only thing that can determine this intention is the text itself. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayFortunately, the text has survived intact for almost five centuries since its first publication, so this decision can be made with the confidence that Machiavelli's intentions were not bastardized by editorial intervention or textual degradation. Unfortunately, this in no way diminishes the degree of ambiguity of the text, nor the subjective necessities of an interpretation of it. Using modern examples of political motivations and actions, it is in fact possible to see both malicious, authoritarian intent and an even more radical sense of civic duty and responsibility on the part of the prince or ruler towards the people he leads. Both interpretations are supported by textual evidence in The Prince, and both can also be observed in modern political events. A replacement of moral virtue with Machiavellian ethics Undoubtedly the most common interpretation of the Prince, and the one which gave rise to the term “Machiavellian”. and its current meaning of political opportunism and unscrupulous authoritarianism is that Machiavelli claims the right for the prince to exercise what is essentially absolute power and to use all necessary and effective means to obtain and retain that power. He insists, for example, that princes who obtain foreign lands should weaken neighboring lands as much as possible, in order to be their leader and defender.1 He also speaks repeatedly of the importance of appearing in meaning while actually being the exact opposite, such as appearing liberal with money while actually being a spendthrift.2 This type of Machiavellian behavior can clearly be seen by many Republicans in the current climate, who denounce the national deficit as the work of the Democrats who are now in power even though they helped create this deficit. According to Machiavelli, such cunning is necessary for power in a civil principality4. He also suggests that creating a need for protection can bind a people to an unfavorable ruler, which can certainly be seen as applying to many modern political situations, including that of budgetary worries.5 In this way, asserts Machiavelli, the people will be friendly towards the ruler in times of unrest; protecting them during seemingly difficult times leads to the prince's own protection of the people during truly difficult times.6 Machiavelli also asserts that the appearance of unequivocal animosity toward one's enemies is necessary for respect.7 Recent comments by Rush Limbaugh regarding "Mr. Obama's candidacy – refusing to issue the honorary title of leader of the nation – is a modern example of thispractical.8 It also testifies to Limbaugh's determination to comment negatively or positively in loud terms on everything that comes to his attention, which is another quality. Machiavelli makes an effective leader9. Even when such attitudes appear to be a vice, he asserts, they can only contribute to strengthening the position of the leader10. This type of conscious manipulation is often cited as evidence of Machiavelli's bad intentions. The Responsibility of Government Despite these apparently nefarious methods, The Prince can also be read primarily as a treatise concerning governmental motivations; All the “evils” that Machiavelli recommends to the prince are ultimately for the good of the state, he asserts.11 Too often, Machiavelli is seen as lusting after power as an end in itself, whereas in reality the consolidation and maintenance of power is an end in itself. power is a means to the moral good of a strong state.12 This is the truly radical project that Machiavelli had in mind, and in many ways it is in fact a precursor to several ideas of the Reformation and Enlightenment . It not only attributes new powers to the government and the monarch, but also new responsibilities, and in fact the former flow from and are meant to assist the latter.13 This can be clearly seen throughout the Prince's text and in the work in modern situations. The new administration's stated goal of returning to diplomacy as a source of power rather than pure militarism reflects a leader's responsibility to the people being led or influenced, even if they belong to another sovereign nation.14 This is directly consistent with Machiavelli's assertions in The Prince; although it places military power in a position of supreme importance, it is a matter of defense15. for the good of the citizens.16Above all, Machiavelli insists that a ruler cannot rule effectively and safely without the respect and admiration of his people, or at the very least, he must not be despised.17 To achieve this, he insists that a leader must appear resolute, immutable and uncompromising.18 Recent criticism of Sweden, which has so far demonstrated marked neutrality in world affairs , are evidence of weakened leadership that results from an appearance of changing and easily convinced opinions and involvement.19He What is important for Machiavelli is not the possession and maintenance of power, but the appropriate use of this power to maintain a stable state. The prince's maintenance of an honorable air and extreme display of competence allows for this stability.20A synthesis Arriving at an either-or decision regarding Machiavelli's meaning and intent in The Prince is definitely specious, being given that none of Machiavelli's personal comments on these aspects are written in the margins. It is certain that Machiavelli's primary intention was to illuminate the nature of political power in the Western world of his time. But each time he defends a means of obtaining or securing power, he also qualifies it as a reason2122. This suggests that he has a deeper motive in mind than simply showing Lorenzo de' Medici how to go about securing his own power. Indeed, his final chapter suggests a very noble, necessary, and immediate purpose to his methods, and we can therefore see that Machiavelli's aim was to describe the use of evil for purposes of good.23 Machiavelli, of course, n Wouldn't have seen his recommendations are considered bad, precisely because they had good intentions.24 The same is true for many proponents of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy; although many are morally opposed to..