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  • Essay / The Prince by Nicholas Machiavelli - 1002

    More than 480 years ago, The Prince by Nicholas Machiavelli was published. He established a system of governance that is still influential today. His ideas were available before thinkers such as Rousseau and Locke. Men who believed that government derived its just powers from the consent of the governed. Machiavelli, unlike Rousseau and Locke, did not suggest the government of the people, but a government where power was centralized and assured in the hands of an elite. His ideas, for example, led to the rise of France as a world power under the leadership of Louis XIV, arguably one of the most successful monarchs in European history. Today, Machiavelli's ideas are no longer as influential as they were among ancient monarchs. However, some of Machiavelli's ideas are still very influential in some contexts today. In his book, Machiavelli emphasized the importance of separating good leadership qualities from virtuous character. In The Prince, his intention was not to answer what constitutes good human moral behavior, but what makes a good leader. One of Machiavelli's main points is to demonstrate a virtuous character, without necessarily being virtuous if this allows one to maintain power over one's principality: "It is therefore not necessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have listed, but it is very necessary to appear to have them. And I will dare to say this too, that having them and always observing them is harmful, and that appearing to have them is useful; appearing merciful, faithful, humane, religious, upright, and being so, but with a mind so trained that if you demand not to be, you can and will know how to change to the opposite. [Machiavelli, The Prince, Ch. XIX]. Machiavelli, however, suggests that ... middle of paper ... no, they can be removed from power. However, this is not the case in countries that follow other systems of government, such as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK (and more particularly “the Supreme Leader) demonstrates benevolence and good qualities of character in many circumstances. However, this is not always true. The Supreme Leader has sometimes taken steps (behind the scenes) to assert and maintain his power. Today, many of Machiavelli's ideas are still relevant and used. They have guided monarchs throughout history. And have also been a source of knowledge for modern leaders, regardless of the system of government. As countries become more democratic, many of Machiavelli's ideas lose relevance in certain contexts. This does not mean, however, that Machiavelli will continue to influence leaders for a long time...