Miscellaneous and Machiavelli
This post should have appeared before November 7, but at that time recovery from hand and wrist injuries did not permit doing so. Thank you for your good wishes, and here is a beginning.
It has been noticed that the pundits mention the word Machiavellian when speaking about some political maneuvers during the recent election. Who is, or was, this Machiavelli?
Niccolo di Bernardo Machiavelli of Florence, Italy b. May 3, 1469, d. June 22,1527
Machiavellism a political principle according to which every act of the state (or statesman) is permissible
Five centuries ago Italy was divided into City States, one of which was Florence, where Machiavelli lived and held forth his villainous schemes for successful political power. Crafty manipulation to further that power may be summed up in one short sentence: Anything goes if it works. Although the citizens of Florence considered themselves to be Christians, they were advised to ignore those teachings if they interfered with gaining power. Eventually Machiavelli was imprisoned, and while in jail he wrote the definitive The Prince which deals with the devious means to becoming a Monarch of a city state. Readers familiar with Machiavelli's works recognize those principles applied to some current campaigns and governance.
Will you go online to learn more about Machiavelli's schemes and scams? Do you think that a successful run for office justifies whatever needs to be done to achieve it?
Machiavelli wrote
It has been noticed that the pundits mention the word Machiavellian when speaking about some political maneuvers during the recent election. Who is, or was, this Machiavelli?
Niccolo di Bernardo Machiavelli of Florence, Italy b. May 3, 1469, d. June 22,1527
Machiavellism a political principle according to which every act of the state (or statesman) is permissible
Five centuries ago Italy was divided into City States, one of which was Florence, where Machiavelli lived and held forth his villainous schemes for successful political power. Crafty manipulation to further that power may be summed up in one short sentence: Anything goes if it works. Although the citizens of Florence considered themselves to be Christians, they were advised to ignore those teachings if they interfered with gaining power. Eventually Machiavelli was imprisoned, and while in jail he wrote the definitive The Prince which deals with the devious means to becoming a Monarch of a city state. Readers familiar with Machiavelli's works recognize those principles applied to some current campaigns and governance.
Will you go online to learn more about Machiavelli's schemes and scams? Do you think that a successful run for office justifies whatever needs to be done to achieve it?
Machiavelli wrote
A Prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study but war and its organization and discipline, for that is the only art that is necessary to one who commands.
posted by marguerite louise at
9:33 AM
6 Comments:
great to have you blogging again
Doris
By
Anonymous, at 11/25/2006 12:55 PM
I worry that Machiavelli is more often today seen as a wise and positve figure -- "winning at all costs" is too often admired.
Great blog, Odysseuse!
By
Anonymous, at 11/26/2006 12:45 PM
So glad to have you back blogging again.
You've given me more "food for thought".... curious now, I'll have to do some additonal web searches.
By
Anonymous, at 11/26/2006 8:27 PM
Great to see you blogging again. It seems like just yesterday you could write your name again!
And, as always, your blog is on an interesting topic.
By
Tah, at 11/26/2006 10:37 PM
Glad to see you have improved mobility enough to write again, and I enjoyed what I learned about you from the meme as well. I do wonder about the world that we are living in today is not producing more Machiavellis.
By
Birdsong, at 11/27/2006 12:43 AM
I understand that some business stars don't have to read Machiavelli to understand and use his techniques for success.
Love,
Doris
By
Anonymous, at 11/27/2006 4:17 PM
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