POL200Y5 Lecture : The Prince- Review.docx
14 Jan 2014
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Document Summary
Machiavelli believes that good laws follow naturally from a good military. His famous statement that the presence of sound military forces indicates the presence of sound laws describes the relationship between developing states and war in the prince. Machiavelli reverses the conventional understanding of war as a necessary, but not definitive, element of the development of states, and instead asserts that successful war is the very foundation upon which all states are built. But machiavelli"s description of war encompasses more than just the direct use of military force it comprises international diplomacy, domestic politics, tactical strategy, geographic mastery, and historical analysis. To remain in power, a prince must avoid the hatred of his people. It is not necessary for him to be loved; in fact, it is often better for him to be feared. Being hated, however, can cause a prince"s downfall.
