On Favorite Authors: Machiavelli

In the world of political treatises, one could practically spend a lifetime studying and attempting to comprehend the the profundity of the classical political writings.  From John Locke's "Leviathan" and Plato's "Republic," to Thomas More's "Utopia" and Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations," the political writings of the established authors of the past are as numerous as they are differing.  In spite of this, there are very few writers who ever offered a more in-depth analysis of lordly rule than Machiavelli.

Through a life of governmental service in the oft-tempestuous setting of early 1500s Florence, Machiavelli's very life depended on adeptly serving those in power, putting him in a uniquely insightful position that allowed him to glean countless informative pieces of wisdom that later would enable him to pen his famous gift to Lorenzo de' Medici, "The Prince."

One of the immediately recognizable factors of studying "The Prince" is that its 'ends justify means' worldview was so strong as to spawn its very own term, Macchievelian, a synonym for pragmatism.  This bit of foreshadowing proves itself to be accurate almost immediately as Machiavelli outlines all manner of decisions and how to deal with them, ranging from mixed principalities and mercenary armies, to the timeless question of whether it is better to be loved or feared.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of "The Prince" is its sociology, highlighting Machiavelli's extensive understanding of human nature and effortlessly coming to effective conclusions on ruling the masses.  Though his methods are decidedly harsh and often brutal, they remain coldly logical and achieve their purpose of bringing the desired outcomes to the many problems faced by a potential prince.  Adding to its credibility, "The Prince" constantly backs its statements up with relevant history from the Greeks, Romans, and Papal kingdoms, lending an accuracy that is often ignored by other political writers (Thomas More immediately comes to mind).

Pros

Machiavelli's writings offer so much in the form of political, sociological, psychological, and historical insight and leave readers with a much more thorough understanding of what it is to be a ruler. His step by step solutions to a range of problems are concise and well researched, albeit controversial.

Cons

That controversy still rages today and, thus, a host of different perspectives surrounding "The Prince"  make it a difficult book to read at times. It is definitely not the kind of writing that would reflect well on a potential presidential candidate.  Being a political work written by an Italian in the 1500s, it is also important to get a good translation, lest the reader be deluged in a flood of arcane vernacular.

Though it is often divisive in its handling of politics, "The Prince," when read with an analytical mindset,  is a book brimming with knowledge and understanding that are both fascinating and practical.