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Papers > Politics > Machiavelli Perception is everything
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Machiavelli Perception is everything |
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... The Prince and the Discourses by Niccolo Machiavelli teaches one that perception is even more important than reality; a fact that drawing upon history can help illustrate. ... Essentially a handbook for bargaining leaders perceived Machiavelli advises political leaders on how to make their rule more efficient and lasting. ... Thirdly, the author prefers using carefully selected historical examples, which although confounding conventional thinking also prove to be most effective in illustrating perception of politics in the past. ... This close examination proves that perception is vitally important in politics not only for the prince, but also for the people who he rules. Focusing on the method with which to govern and maintain principalities, Machiavelli looks at hereditary states and new principalities. ... According to Machiavelli, new principalities are more difficult to perpetuate then hereditary states because a population becomes accustomed to the ruling family. “ …for it is sufficient not to transgress ancestral usage, and to adapt one’s self to unforeseen circumstances; in this way such a prince if of ordinary assiduity, will always be able to maintain his position” (Machiavelli 5). In short, Machiavelli is stating that hereditary states are easier to govern because the dominated people are familiar with the family as well as their existing rules, judiciary system and traditions. Perception can affect the way people feel about certain leaders. ... In Italy for example, “Duke Ferrara, who was able to withstand the assaults of the Venetians in 1484 and of Pope Julius in 1510, for no other reason than because the antiquity of his family in that dominion” (Machiavelli 5). Indeed, Duke Ferrara might have suffered the loss of support from his people had a positive perception of his family not preceded his reign. To extend this argument Machiavelli explains why new principalities are more complicated to govern than passed down paternally or maternally. ... (Machiavelli 6). ... As well as enduring the difficulties of maintaining a new principality the prince must also destroy the family of the former prince or in other words ensure the original bloodline is annihilated: Whoever obtains possession of such territories and wishes to retain them must bear in mind two things: the one, that the blood of their old rulers be extinct; the other, to make no alteration either in their laws or in their taxes (Machiavelli 8). ... Should a population be “rotten to the core” as Machiavelli declares, it is much easier for a dictator exemplifying all the necessary qualities of respected and feared leader to keep control. For example, “Caesar, having put himself at the head of this party, had been able to blind the populace to the fact that they were being enslaved, even as he himself placed the yoke upon their necks” (Machiavelli, 125). ... The prince can be frugal in the beginning, “not being able to exercise this virtue of liberality without risk if it be known…in course of time he will be thought more liberal, when it is seen that by his parsimony his revenue is sufficient, that he can defend himself against those who make war o n him” (Machiavelli 58). ... The prince must be able to maintain himself, “through abundance of men or money, put together a sufficient army, and hold the field against any one assails them” (Machiavelli 39). This is an excellent example of perception, because the people will perceive the prince and harbouring “bad” characteristics is sometimes necessary. He further discusses the importance of fortification of the city, there by equipping themselves with defensive works to strengthen against attack because: …whoever has strongly fortified his town …will be attacked with great reluctance, for men are always averse to enterprises in they foresee difficulties, and it can never easy to attack one who has his town stoutly defended and is not hated by the people (Machiavelli 40). The perception of a strong defence and military forces is of ultimate importance to the prince; his definitive goals the economic well being of his country and, of course his political infamy. |
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