In “The Prince” Machiavelli shares many political principles that created controversy at the time, but even today are of great influence on some politicians around the globe. Among the controversial ideas he stated, we find:

“The end justifies the means”. This is interpreted as one individual can make any decision or do something to accomplish the result he wants. It doesn’t matter if he messes with other peoples ideas or steps over other people´s principles.

“For a Prince, it is better to be feared than to be loved”. This idea created controversy because it invites the ruler to establish the kind of government that provokes fear instead of respect or love. Machiavelli considered that if people loved the ruler, it could appear as weak. But if the ruler was strong and provoked fear, the consequences would be the control of its people.

“The Prince should act virtuously, but should not avoid acting with cruelty if employing it would benefit the State”. This also created great controversy. It is common sense to believe that the ruler must be correct and respectful. But Machiavelli considered that the opposite, when needed and in favor of the State, was possible and convenient for the Prince.

“People admire generosity, honor, and courage in others, but most of them do not exhibit those values themselves”. Machiavelli understood that people are aware a support moral values in others but it is difficult for them to exemplify those values with its own behaviors.

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4 years ago