Questions Concerning The Prince

1. Which of the following would be most successful in business today? And what kind of business would they run (Internet startup, chain store, international conglomerate, NGO, mafia)? Remirro da Orca (chapter 7), Oliverotto da Fermo (chapter 8) Cesare Borgia.

Ramiro d’Orco

Ramiro d’Orco is a man in “The Prince” who is only involved shortly in the story, but is still altogether important. Ramiro was brought in by Cesare Borgia to govern the country of Romagna, which was “was full of robbery, quarrels, and every kind of violence” (Chapter 7 – Machiavelli ) from its previous, week ruler. Ramiro was brought in because he was “a swift and cruel man” (Chapter 7 –Machiavelli ), who would be perfect for uniting the now distraught country. Ramiro did a great job at uniting this country, showing his managing prowess and charisma. Even though Ramiro’s days ended via execution, he still had a knack for administering many people. In today’s world, Ramiro would seem most likely to run a business similar to a chain store. He would be a man who is able to control many different stores, and also not fall behind his competition.

Oliverotto da Ferno

Oliverotto da Ferno was another character in the Prince who was not a key part to the story, but important nonetheless. He was a man who was orphaned at an early age, and raised by his uncle. Giovanni Fogliani. At a young age, he entered into the military, training him in fighting and combat. He was a man who started with little, and worked his way up through the ranks. Once Oliverotto felt that he wanted more power, he arranged a meeting wherein he betrayed his uncle and the man who raised him, Giovanni, along with other important political figures. This then allowed Oliverotto to proclaim himself Prince. Oliverotto seems like a man who would be most fitting in the mafia in today’s world. He is a man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty or to go against the rules to get what he wants. He came from nothing and eventually became a Prince, doing whatever he needed to do to get there, with betrayal, assassinations, anything that was necessary. He would not settle for anything less than the best, thinking that it was “a paltry thing to serve under others.” (Chapter 8 –Machiavelli)

Cesare Borgia

Unlike the prior two men, Cesare Borgia was more frequently found in this story. He was a man who was born into power, being the son of Pope Alexander VI, and was made the Duke of Valentino. He was given more and more power, due to his father’s growing strength and command. Cesare was described as a “man who rises on the fortune of others” (Introduction – Machiavelli), riding his father’s power into power of his own. Borgia seems like a man who would be most successful in an international conglomerate, where he would be able to oversee a vast number of people and stores. “Cesare Borgia was considered cruel; notwithstanding, his cruelty reconciled the Romagna, unified it, and restored it to peace and loyalty” (Chapter 17 – Machiavelli) Cesare was a good ruler, who knew he had to be fierce and strong when he had to you, in a way, ruling with tough love. He was able to rule large numbers of people flawlessly, which would be an invaluable asset in running a business in today’s world.

2. Who is a prince's greatest ally? (Chapters 9, 19, 20, 21)

Throughout the Prince, Machiavelli states many assets that may help the prince, but perhaps the most important aid to the Prince is his own people. Without his people, the prince would have nothing. If the Prince was hated or disdained by his people, he would have nothing to do, for he could not quell their displeasure due to the sheer number. On the other side of the people are the nobles, who only look to oppress the people in order to keep their power. If the Prince sided with the nobles, he would be at ends with his people. “A prince can never secure himself against a hostile people, because of their being too many, whilst from the nobles he can secure himself, as they are few in number” (Chapter 9 – Machiavelli). Albeit the nobles are important to the Prince, he cannot put them above the people, for it would undermine his reign. He can avoid these nobles because their numbers are dwindled when compared. To be a successful Prince, he must also remain on the good side of these people. He must “entertain the people with festivals and spectacles at convenient seasons of the year” (Chapter 21 – Machiavelli) in order to make sure they are willing to stand by him. If he ever loses his support the Prince will not be able to survive. Another important aspect of having a large mass of people on the Prince’s side is that if someone wished to go against the Prince and kill him, he would be shunned and hunted by the people for killing a loved leader. A conspirator would not do this if he knew that he would be exiled by his people. In conclusion, above all those involved with the Prince, his people truly are the most vital.

3. According to Machiavelli, when is generosity a good thing? (Be specific, identify, and cite his argument).

In The Prince, Machiavelli views generosity as a quality that must be used selectively by a Price. He must be neither too generous nor too oppressive to his people. To be successful a Prince must learn to balance both of these. It is always good to be viewed favorably by your people, but a Prince cannot be too lenient with his people, and must keep them in order. If a Prince is too kind, he could become too trusting of a person who is in a prime position to overthrow him or betray him. Machiavelli says that “every prince ought to desire to be considered clement and not cruel” (Chapter 17 – Machiavelli). This is saying how a Prince should not want to be feared and viewed harshly as his people, but pleasing and agreeable. With this being said, a Prince also has to make hard decisions which may harm his image as a kind king, but still vital to his staying in power. A Prince can never win in being generous or not, but he must simply choose the one in which has the least downsides. Another important thing for a Prince to do, in respect to generosity, is to not take from the people, instead taking from someone who is not in his kingdom whenever possible. It is best to let his people keep their goods, and only take when necessary. All in all, generosity is most important to a Prince when coming into power, in order to gain support and followers, and less used when already obtaining such followers.

4. Use The Beatitudes to argue against Machiavelli.

Throughout Machiavelli’s story, he portrays an idea that is not in line with the Beatitudes. A key idea that Machiavelli expresses is that the end justifies the means. This is highly disputed in the Beatitudes, saying how those who are persecuted, insulted, and looked down upon are the blessed. The Beatitudes talk about how if a person is in line with God’s law they will be rewarded. These people are blessed and the chosen by God, who receive salvation. This is very contradictory to what Machiavelli believes, where the Prince should go through any means necessary to get what he wants. He believes that the Prince should be as manipulative, corrupt, and scheming as he wants to get into power. Right in the third Beatitude, it says that “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” This is directly arguing with Machiavelli’s ideals, where he views those who are strong and want to rule, will rule. The Beatitudes say that those who are meek and modest will end up with what they want. Machiavelli believes that you must be more demanding in what you want. Yet another contradiction between Machiavelli and the Beatitudes is in the fifth Beatitude, wherein it says “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Machiavelli believes that a Prince should not be merciful and should rule more fiercely. His ideals are more corrupt than in the Beatitudes and are less focused on morals.

5. Use Machiavelli to argue against The Beatitudes.

In The Prince Machiavelli describes a view that is more centered on politics and a more realistic view. The Beatitudes are a better view on life, and would be better for all people, but it is too unimaginable to be put into use in real life. The Prince is much more useful in regard to political strategy, wherein the Beatitudes are more a way to live your life. According to Machiavelli, a Prince must not be too concerned with being morally correct. They must do what is required of them to obtain their power and to keep hold of it. In the first commandment it says that “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is saying how those who do not have much or have not had life go their way will be rewarded through heaven. Machiavelli does not view life at all like this. He believes that the Prince should do all in his power to rise up in life, no matter what. In the fourth Beatitude, it says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” This is saying that those who do not have something will receive their due in the next life. Machiavelli argues that one should work and toil in this life to get their fill, not wait. He believes in the now, and doing whatever needed to get what you want, in the present. Machiavelli simply does not blend his ideals with those of the Beatitudes, and instead creates an entirely different ideology altogether.

Works Cited

Machiavelli, N. (1984). The Prince (Bantam Classics). New York: Bantam Classics.

(n.d.). [Matthew 5 (New International Version) ]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205&version=NIV