Political Theory Final Paper Foucault vs. Hobbes‚ and Machiavelli Power by definition is the possession of control or command over others; authority; ascendancy. The question is now not what power is but how do the means of which power is exerted form and who or whom enforces these means. There are several ways to answer this question‚ none of which are entirely correct. By looking at the theories provided by Michel Foucault and comparing them to Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes we will gain a general
Premium Political philosophy Sociology Religion
Machiavelli vs. Erasmus I believe that both of these views‚ to a certain extent and in certain situations‚ are still relevant today. With some people‚ the parts of the population that seek only to gain in their lives‚ and not contribute to the betterment of society‚ I would say that the Machiavellian approach would be of better use. Because he is right‚ a lot of men are ungrateful‚ fickle‚ deceptive‚ avoiders of dangers and eager to gain. With these kinds of people‚ they will try to take what they
Premium Liberalism Punishment Conservatism
Machiavelli and Adolf Hitler are both names synonymous with evil: killing without reason‚ fear tactics‚ cruelty. “Adolf Hitler‚ according to his own word‚ kept The Prince by his bedside‚ where it served as a constant source of inspiration…” (Downs 201). Machiavelli’s work is known as a guide to holding absolute power; Hitler took The Prince’s advice‚ but the extent is up for debate. They shared basic mutual principles‚ but certain technicalities are different. Hitler took a great amount of inspiration
Premium Adolf Hitler Nazi Germany World War II
Machiavelli versus Hobbs. Philosophers of Political Realism and Self Interest In this paper‚ I will be taking ideas from two philosophers‚ Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. Specifically‚ I will be focusing on the agreement and disagreement of the two philosophers listed above. Based on my interpretation from the two text‚ there has been an agreement between Machiavelli and Hobbes which states that there should be a strong central government to protect and control the people.
Premium Political philosophy Thomas Hobbes Social contract
A Contrast of Political Controversy: The Prince versus Capital It is often very difficult to judge which policies and principalities are correct when comparing and contrasting controversial literary works. In The Prince‚ Niccolo Machiavelli presents many ideas that may be looked at as unethical by the general population of a nation. In fact‚ Machiavelli’s ideas were looked down upon by his own nation‚ Italy‚ resulting in his eventual exile. For Karl Marx‚ Capital presents many contradictions
Free Marxism Capitalism Karl Marx
In "The Qualities of the Prince‚" Niccolo Machiavelli describes how he believes a prince should rule. He had "studied the way people lived and aimed to inform leaders" of his research (par.10). He viewed "misery as one of the vices that enables a prince to rule‚" using techniques like deceiving and manipulating in order to accomplish a certain task (par.12). Machiavelli focuses on qualities such as Military skills‚ generosity and miserly and whether a prince should be loved or feared in order to
Premium Political philosophy The Prince Florence
that justice was best defined as that which is done to benefit the stronger‚ meaning that in a democracy democratic laws are just and in tyranny‚ tyrannical laws are just‚ and this applies to all other forms of government. Both Thrasymachus and Machiavelli have overlapping points in them views of justice and virtu. In Thrasymachus’s definition of justice and Machiavelli’s definition of virtu some of the concepts that overlap are the willingness to do whatever necessary for the good
Premium Political philosophy Ethics Morality
Machiavelli and Rousseau‚ both significant philosophers‚ had distinctive views on human nature and the relationship between the government and the governed. Their ideas were radical at the time and remain influential in government today. Their views on human nature and government had some common points and some ideas that differed. Machiavelli’s views were drastically different from other humanists at his time. He strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but stood
Premium Political philosophy
important for becoming an effective leader. Machiavelli discourages the idea of selfless virtue by supporting the notion that the ends justify the means. Brutus‚ a character from Shakespeare’s‚ Julius Caesar‚ acts virtuously in defeating Caesar‚ as it was preformed in the hopes of benefiting the state. The quality of virtue contained in a ruler is a focus that both Machiavelli and Shakespeare acknowledge
Premium Political philosophy The Prince Florence
and existence. Its context of the norms of society and the reasons behind these norms are studied by philosophers whom include Thomas Hobbes and Nicolas Machiavelli. These two recognized philosophical minds have delved into the concept of a ruling government body‚ including governments and royalty. Hobbes penned the famous Leviathan while Machiavelli wrote the controversial The Prince. Both of these books include a deep look into powerful people and their ways of keeping peace and functionality in their
Premium Political philosophy Thomas Hobbes Human