Essay on How Machiavellis The Prince Influenced Peoples Traits

The Prince is a book written back in 1400, by an Italian writer named Niccolo Machiavelli. Despite being a book with ideas from over seven centuries, it is regarded as legendary qualities. Niccolo Machiavelli in the Prince displayed excellent mastering of leadership. It is for this reason that many leaders refer to the traits in the Prince for leadership strategies. A Machiavellian leader or quality just means the belief that a ruler is justified in using any means to stay in power. This statement resonates with politics and many situations today. People will use whatever means possible as long as they retain the authority they think they deserve.

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Religions, business, and sometimes social constructs are knees deep in Machiavellian traditions. As one goes through The Prince, it is easy to realize that, Machiavelli believed that people are cowards who behave like animals. Chapter 12 of The Prince documents that it is okay to be feared than to be loved. People regard Machiavelli as a kind spirit as he openly exposed the evils carried out by deceitful politicians. Modern political leaders adopted Machiavellian traits and policies to help them rule their countries

Machiavelli portrayed traits of deceit, slyness, and craftiness duplicity. Several leaders have used the Machiavellian characters in their ruling styles. President Richard Nixon personified these qualities in his ruling methods in the United States. He put in mind the tricks of the practiced orator through the use of untruthful language. To influence the administration under him, Richard Nixon employed the use of sly rhetoric. There are instances that Richard Nixon faced impeachment threats due to the water gate crimes. However, Nixon successfully used Machiavellian tricks to escape prosecution. Machiavellian traits include that of the importance of appearance. Niccolo believed that people had pre-constructed images of what a leader should be. Following this, attribute Richard Nixon portrayed himself as an average middle-class American. This trait personification helped Richard Nixon to win the elections.

President George W, Bush acted on Machiavellian rule that, a leader is justified in using any means of power to stay in authority. George Bush was a man full of deceitful strategies and manipulation when it came to politics. The Prince states that a ruler is excused from violence and deception only if it is done to help him maintain his official position. This line allows leaders to deceive their subjects to remain in power. For example, President Bush started a war in Iraq to show that he was in authority and is capable of defending his country. Bush cunningly used the aid of the military to end Saddam Husseins life and ignored the extremists who were responsible for the attacks on US soil. During 2001 assail, Bush put out an image of stronger imperialism and control of resources in the Middle East says CITATION Nic03 \l 1033 (Machiavelli). Machiavelli believed that a bad reputation does not inhibit power or control; rather it should be offset by other qualities.' This statement is true because as much as George Bush was not appealing to the American citizens, there were other qualities that they liked about him. These qualities rubbed off on the wrong things he did.

Adolf Hitler was a real Machiavellian leader. Adolf Hitler studied the nature of Germans and exploited their weakness to rise to power. When he rose to power Adolf, completely acted in Machiavellian disposition. Hitler used the minority as an example to instill fear among his people. By using the opposition, he gained popularity and trust among the majority in the country. Hitler had key competencies when it came to leadership that is, understanding, controlling, and finally defending. Hitler did not hesitate to remove any general or officer from office if he felt that he was untrustworthy. Naming himself as the commander in chief of the military forces made him powerful and feared. The image of Hitler as a captain over military forces gave his subordinates a particular image of him. It is for this reason that military officers pledge allegiance to him rather than the country (Germany). Hitler was a deceitful being in power; he made many promises to the Germans yet did not fulfill any of them. Cunningly, he made Germans believe that he was working towards fulfilling his promises to them.

President Obama is part of individuals who personify Machiavelli in their ruling structure. In The Prince, a wise prince should establish himself on that which is in his control and not in that of others. Obama has successfully managed to attract love and fear a quality that allows him to distance himself from vices. Obama is a lovable character as he has set himself to be received yet his government is an entity that no one can joke with. Machiavelli states that power is weak when magistrates hold power since it all depends on their dealings. Obama has successfully defied the Congress and their mandate to expand executive power overall he still holds power, and there is no way around that. Obama displays Machiavellian traits when he manages to keep his subjects in his leash. The people need him and his government to function. A Machiavellian leader will always empower those around him only if it is beneficial to him and his stature. This factor is displayed in Obamas ruling plans, as he arms the military and the individuals loyal to his command. As people around him are armed, the citizens are disarmed leaving them with nothing to fight with. This means that no matter what situation you still maintain their loyalty since they have nothing useful to use in attacks.

In conclusion, The Prince as written by Machiavelli presented contentious distinctiveness of what a leader should be. According to Machiavelli, Princes have no other objectives, thoughts nor do they take up any other profession other than that of war. Machiavelli goes further to explain the importance of war in protecting one's country. It is clear that though times have changed the principalities of leadership remain the same.

Works Cited

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"Former President G W Bush: The Machaivellian Leader." 18 January 2014. Wordpress. 8 December 2016 <https://russiarobinson.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/former-president-g-w-bush-the-machiavellian-leader/>.

Lawrence M, Ludlow. "Machiavelli and US Politics." 29 August 2005. LewRockWell. 8 December 2016 <https://www.lewrockwell.com/2005/08/lawrence-m-ludlow/machiavelli-and-u-s-politics/>.

Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Europe: Harvard University, 1903.

World, Brave The. "Obama The Prince: a tale of our unchanging power structure." 27 February 2014. Brave The World. 8 December 2016 <http://bravetheworld.com/2014/02/27/obama-prince/>.