“A controversy has arisen about this: whether it is better to be loved than feared, or vice versa. My view is that it is desirab
le to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of them has to be lacking, it is much safer to be feared than loved.” Niccolo Machiavelli The Prince, 1532 Which statement BEST explains the point of this passage from Machiavelli?
A) people should rise up against tyrannical rulers B) leaders should be more in touch with the people C) democracy is the best form of national government D) absolute power is the surest and most effective way to rule
D) Absolute power is the surest and most effective way to rule.
Explanation:
Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" is a political treatise that was written as a way of advising or giving some proposals or solutions to a successful political power. In it, Machiavelli gave numerous instances and suggestions on how a prince or even a superior authority can maintain to keep his state or power intact.
The excerpt given in the question is one such example. In it, Machiavelli concludes that "<em>it is much safer to be feared than loved</em>". He is of the opinion that if a ruler had to chose between being loved by his people of being feared, he should chose the latter for it will ensure the people's submission to him. Moreover, that will also ensure that the people won't take the ruler in a simple approachable manner, keeping a level of respect and space in between their positions/social standings. Thus, Machiavelli supports the very idea of absolute power as the only effective way of maintaining power to rule.
