The Prince

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2002-11-21 02:19pm

Machevelli's Trestise on Government.

In terms of logic vs. Morality.

1. What powers does the state have over the citizenry in defending it's self and continuing it's existance.

2. Would you Rather be Loved & weak, Feared and Strong, or Simply Despised.

3. What of the above is your present government in the Eye's of it's citizens.

4. As above, in the eye's of the rest of the world?

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2002-11-21 08:13pm

I have this book in my trenchcoat, as it happens.

1. it has what powers the citizens give it. . . lol. the people have to give permission to lose their freedom, at first, and they give this approval by not rioting.

2. feared and strong. absolutely.

3. u.s. government? it's strong on the international forum, certainly. it's strong compared to the loose confederacy it had when it when started, but is rather sluggish compared to stalin's regime, for example. it's not quite a prince like rule, as it changes every few yrs, so the government I wouldnt think could be loved. individiuals can be loved or feared, tho. I dont think bush is feared, and love seems too strong for what he has. general support, perhaps.

4. I have no idea. I could always ask them.

Post by **weemadando** » 2002-11-21 08:20pm

Studied The Prince for first year political science. As relevant today as ever.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2002-11-21 08:21pm

I read it once or twice a week, in study halls. I write political fantasy, and it's *quite* helpful.

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2002-11-21 08:23pm

weemadando wrote:Studied The Prince for first year political science. As relevant today as ever.

Most definitely. Politics always have been and always will be Machiavellian for as long as humankind follows what is called "human nature." It is in the psychological (possibly genetic, who knows) makeup of some people to seek power at all costs. Whether others choose to give them that power or not determines who rules the nation, who is the Prince. Not all of his ideas may be applicable to all rulers, but every ruler follows some of his rules, and all his rules apply to some ruler (AFAIK). I read it in Masterpieces of Western Literature, where we studied both its form and content.