Resumo de The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli

BOOK REVIEW: THE PRINCE

The book entitled THE PRINCE was written in 1512 by Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian political philosopher, that lived between 1469-1527. The prince is generally seen as real and practical analysis of political power. The book explains how power may be gained and effectively exercised. In other words, it is a classical work on strategy. In its original form, it contains twenty-six chapters which are inter-related and each deals with specific political and strategic issues. The nature of Machiavelli?s strategic analysis is such that encourages the use of arms. According to him, the chief foundation of all states is predicated upon the principles of ?good laws and good arms? . Of the two, he seems to place a stronger emphasis on arms, for there cannot be good laws where there are no good arms.
Machiavelli?s book is full of subtle diplomatic analysis and puzzles including foolish exposition of military actions of ancient and contemporary leaders. He suggests almost the same approach for dealing with both the military matters and civilian population. The book is enriched by memorable political quotations which are contained in it. In the book, machiavellii explains that appearances are extremely important to the art of state-craft and the leader should not be oblivious to the essential welfare of the people even though he is required to make the followers to always depend on him.
The book is an anti-morality because it encourages the leader to act against faith, against charity, against humanity and against religion. Machiavelli argues further in the book that a leader must ?have a mind disposed to adapt itself according to the wind and as the variations of fortune dictate? . The common political maxim, ?the end justifies the means? is rooted in THE PRINCE. He asserts that it is perfectly possible for a leader to act ruthlessly, and still appear to be a paragon of benevolence to most of his subjects. Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he should at any rate avoids hatred.
The book is still of high significant value up till date because it provides some of the central themes of the modern scientific literature on strategy. Machiavelli bases his analysis on real-world realities. The author unambiguously set its focus and the book is based on ancient history as well as contemporary Italian politics and this gives the book its empirical base. He clearly perceived the principle that power grows out of the dependence of others. The book establishes that Machiavelli is an ardent nationalist. The index, note?s and references at the back of the book make it a scholarly piece. THE PRINCE remains as lively and as shocking today like it was almost five hundred years ago when it was first written.
Its influence on modern political history and thought is profound. The exploitability and readability level of the book is still tolerable till date despite the persistent trends, development and changes in the world of English language.

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