The Ubiquitous and Prudent Prince: Machiavelli's Political Strategy and Pragmatic Principles

Abstract

This essay intends to shed some light and give a discerned understanding of Machiavelli's utility of violence and deception in politics despite his profound commitment and sincere loyalty to the republic in the context of the Prince. The thesis I would like to expound on is about the definitive instruction and teachings of “ethical values†for political rulers who wish to protect their political status and maintain reverence among the citizens, while maintaining his deep love, respect, and commitment to the republic. In the Prince, he offered specific instruction to rulers as to what they must do to achieve their purpose in order to preserve and secure their power. Its significance for ethics lies precisely in the fact that Machiavelli's advice ignores the usual conventional rules of ethics. He elaborated on the Discourses on Livy (1531) and the Prince (1532) the inherent relationship of politics and violence.  This instruction may not be useful for political rulers, but because we want to begin on the supreme goal and ideals of the republic, Machiavelli says emphatically that such instruction is pragmatic and would generate and preserve power for the Prince.