Machiavelli and the Ethics of Morality and Politics

In The Prince the seeds of a new political and ethical order can be acquired from the study of history and current events. The Renaissance represented a renewal of interest in Greek and Roman classical times.   This interest manifested itself into a movement which took hold in the humanities. Machiavelli, a well-known Italian humanist and political philosopher,   not only intended to address Lorenzo de Medici and the other rulers of his time through his political treatise, but every ruler,   at any time. Just as Columbus and others during his time were discovering new existences, Machiavelli invited the politically intelligent of his day to rediscover Republican Rome.   Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince argued that morality and politics cannot co-exist in the same forum. However, when investigating Machiavelli's ideas and philosophies, it can be concluded that perhaps the evil and violence he suggests are fueled by moral end.   Therefore, it is absolutely crucial to grasp and understand his key concepts of fortune and virtue. The two antagonistic concepts of fortune and virtue, Machiavelli argues, reflect the way in which a prince should govern while decreasing all risk of being overthrown or losing power while remaining moral.



Machiavelli’s type of governing demands a certain level of violence. However, this is done solely for the   purpose of maintaining the prince’s throne and power, and also generating both fear and accolades from his people, which Maureen Ramsay, with Britain’s Current Affairs & Politics Magazine, agrees from a modern perspective on politics. When Machiavelli calls for violence, he minimizes the amount that needs to be taken, and in most cases, those who are being effected, are the enemies of the people. The prince essentially takes all responsibility, not leaving the consequences on the shoulders of the people. All the prince asks for in return is to respect his power and to continue to show loyalty without threat.   This request...