Machiavelli Quiz 1

"The Prince is a concise statement of Machiavelli's belief that classical and Christian political theory is unworkable in a world that defines politics as the exercise of power and the struggle for power. It is also implicitly a rejection of a nihilistic counterethic, that only power and brute force matter."

Discuss to what extent you agree or disagree with this statement. What evidence can you bring to support your position?


Through “The Prince,” Machiavelli has constructed a practical guide for people (princes) to follow when obtaining power, maintaining power and warring. It examines past fact and history to put forth simple wisdom that has been proven to work. I am not exactly sure of the general specifics of Christian political theory but I can guess that it would not approve of many of the methods that Machiavelli suggests be implored. Machiavelli in turn would call Christian political theory weak and a sure way to lose power.
For example, Christian politics would probably involve more negotiation and talking. Today in the Western World, these ideas have had more influence on us that those of Machiavelli. When we hear of people killing political opponents, we think of barbarians in Africa or of the Soviets. It has become instilled in our minds that everything can be fixed peacefully. Brutality and cruelty suggested in “The Prince” does not seem to be a viable option. It is true that Machiavelli is suggesting that ruling in a Christian manner would lead to a loss of power. In Chapter 11 he talks about church run states and notes how in many instances, they are weak.
Machiavelli gives a straightforward answer for just about every conceivable situation. He tells us when to show mercy, punish, be cruel, go to war, kill, protect, show kindness and many more actions. He does not address them in a way where morality comes into question. If it keeps you in power, or gains you power, you must do it, no matter how drastic or unreasonable it may sound or seem. In this treatise he asserts that power is the most valuable thing that anyone can ever obtain. Everyone wants it but only a few will get it, whether by “fortune” or their own skill, or even perhaps a combination of both.