To what extent and why did Machiavelli’s views on politics and human nature in his book ‘The Prince’, lead him to be reviled by his contemporaries?

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To what extent and why did Machiavelli’s views on politics and human nature in his book ‘The Prince’, lead him to be reviled by his contemporaries?

        Machiavelli was extensively reviled by his contemporaries because of his views on politics and human nature in his book ‘The Prince’. They believed he put forward the principle that the laws of politics and princes were above those of God. This principle frightened them because they did not want to admit that the manner in which religion and politics worked together was in a different dimension, one they were not prepared to acknowledge. However, his philosophies were admired by many, especially rulers of the day.

        ‘The Prince’ would probably never have been written if the political situation in Florence had not changed so radically in 1512 when the Republic fell. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the events that led up to Machiavelli writing ‘The Prince’. For the 14 years prior to this Machiavelli served in the government in a variety of capacities that included being a member of the Ten of War Committee and carrying out numerous diplomatic missions throughout Europe. These missions brought him into contact with Louis XII of France, Cesare Borgia of Romagna, Pope Julius II, and the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I of Germany. Machiavelli was able to observe close-up the most prominent leaders of his era. Although always observant, Machiavelli would most likely have continued on with his life as a diplomat if he had not been expelled from Florence when the Republic fell and Giovanni de Medici took control of Florence.

        Medici was in exile for 18 years when he triumphantly returned to Florence and established himself as the ruler. He immediately set about ridding himself of the members of the Republican government that stood in his way. As a result, Machiavelli was first imprisoned and then banished from Florence into exile at his farm seven miles outside of the city. Machiavelli’s ‘principle interest lay in politics and he wanted above all else to be employed at the centre of affairs.’ He wanted to return to Florence so he set his intellectual abilities to work to find the best way to do this. He realised he must convince the Medici Lords that those once considered enemies could in fact become allies. In his book ‘The Prince’ Machiavelli states ‘ men whom they had regarded with suspicion in the early stages of their rule proved more reliable and useful than those whom they had trusted at first are.’

        Machiavelli decided the best way to prove his worth to Medici was by writing a guide on how to be not only an effective ruler, but to rule in a way that would ensure the survival of his government in future generations, ensure ‘the well-being of its citizens’3 and would keep Italy free from foreign occupation and invasion. His guidelines would prove to be offensive to so many because they were truths that had not been seen on paper before and they went against contemporary thinking

        In the mid-sixteenth century medieval thinking still prevailed with the Church heavily influencing not only Italian politics but politics throughout Europe. It was the accepted belief that ‘Christian living, which they all prized so highly, must pervade every aspect of life: politics as well as private attitudes.’ 4 Machiavelli did not believe this was a true reflection of how governments operated. He believed politics had ‘its own laws of existence’5 separate from the Church.

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        Up until Machiavelli wrote ‘The Prince,’ politicians and rulers wanted not only the Church but also the people they ruled to believe they were moral and ethical, more concerned with being good on earth so they would pass to heaven in the next life. But because there were evil people on earth, politicians and rulers who wanted to continue to rule could not follow religious doctrine and maintain their position in society. A ruler would be considered a great failure if he knelt in Church all day praying for peace while the enemy broke through the gates and captured ...

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