Machiavelli's The Prince: Summary And Analysis
A good leader is one who can stand up against the norm and take risks to uphold their state. According to Machiavelli, in his book The Prince, this includes taking actions that are not favored by the majority. Though Machiavelli was born on May 3rd, 1469 and only wrote his book in 1513, his ideas were so significant that they apply even to contemporary leaders. Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, is facing situations that can either prove her strength as a leader or set the European Union on a road to destruction. On top of dealing with the major Greek debt crisis, she has been faced with the task of deciding how to handle the Syrian refugees. Using the examples and analysis provided by Machiavelli, Merkel’s best plan would be to pressure
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In her current state of proceedings, it will be hard for Merkel to handle the influx of migrants. The New York Times describes many efforts made to create asylum for refugees by converting houses into shelters. Because she has been treating the migrants well, she has been burdened with the expectation of providing them aid indefinitely. This is just as Machiavelli mentions. These actions are only attracting more migrants, allowing them to take advantage of the free services provided by Germany, as civilians would of a loved ruler back in Machiavelli’s time. Of course, on the opposite side of the spectrum, Germany can fence off their borders and push migrants out. But these actions would ruin Germany’s image and push the problem on to other countries who would then resent Germany. Thus, there seems to be no easy way of working out this situation without terrible loss. However, combining the advice of Machiavelli with a little modern zest, there appears to be a happy medium that could even benefit Germany: just as Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, Merkel can approach this situation in a similar manner. Merkel could use the Syrians to improve German infrastructure, but also teach them work skills, so that they may assimilate into normal society. This fits perfectly into Machiavelli’s ideas emphasizing the fortification of a state during peace in Chapter
In her current state of proceedings, it will be hard for Merkel to handle the influx of migrants. The New York Times describes many efforts made to create asylum for refugees by converting houses into shelters. Because she has been treating the migrants well, she has been burdened with the expectation of providing them aid indefinitely. This is just as Machiavelli mentions. These actions are only attracting more migrants, allowing them to take advantage of the free services provided by Germany, as civilians would of a loved ruler back in Machiavelli’s time. Of course, on the opposite side of the spectrum, Germany can fence off their borders and push migrants out. But these actions would ruin Germany’s image and push the problem on to other countries who would then resent Germany. Thus, there seems to be no easy way of working out this situation without terrible loss. However, combining the advice of Machiavelli with a little modern zest, there appears to be a happy medium that could even benefit Germany: just as Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, Merkel can approach this situation in a similar manner. Merkel could use the Syrians to improve German infrastructure, but also teach them work skills, so that they may assimilate into normal society. This fits perfectly into Machiavelli’s ideas emphasizing the fortification of a state during peace in Chapter