Virtu

A detailed Summary of Virtu

In Machiavelli's The Prince, in order to be a successful ruler, a statesman must possess virtù. The Machiavellian principle of virtù begins with the idea that a ruler must be prudent and cautious, and in times of peace he may be non-violent. Yet, if the situation calls for it, he needs to take bold, decisive action, at any cost. It can be appropriate to lie and make false promises, as well as to act in a manner that seems violent and ruthless. The essential need for political order is to be sacrificed for no reason, moral or immoral. Instead, political decisions are to be based on the means by which to retain political power, and the political practicality of those results. Machiavelli feels that the world is comprised of unpredictable forces that are working against each other, and a leader needs to create an order out of these forces. He believes that by nature human beings are more inclined toward evil than good, and so it is impossible to do what is only morally right. If a ruler tries to proceed in this fashion, he is bound for failure because of the impossibility of adjusting continuously to the ever-changing circumstances. A ruler only has to reflect the human nature of a state, to know how to act.

Machiavellian virtù considers the conquest of a new territory of the highest good. If one is to acquire a territory that is far away, and where a different language is spoken, some policies of virtù should be to be followed. "One of the best policies, and one of the most effective, is for a new ruler to go live in his new territories" (Machiavelli, 505). This helps ensure his control over the officials so they don't exert their own power, and also keeps the ruler close by if situations arise. "A second excellent policy is to send colonies to settle in one or two places; they will serve to tie your new subjects down" (Machiavelli, 505). Sending colonies, instead of armies, is more inexpensive and lends itself to less resistance from the citizens. "I conclude such colonies are economical, reliable, and do not give excessive grounds for resistance; those who suffer by their establishment are in no position to resist, being poor and scattered, as I have said. There is a general rule to be noted here: People should either be caressed or crushed" (Machiavelli, 505). Also, for political success, a statesman should set up alliances with weaker powers close by. By protecting these weaker states, he builds loyalty in them, and they can ban together to crush the stronger powers. "The Romans, in the regions they seized, obeyed these principles admirably. They settled colonies; were friendly towards the weaker rulers, without building up their strength; and did not allow foreign powers to build up support" (Machiavelli, 506). A ruler should also have trusted advisors to speak to him in truth. Flattery is not desirable. Yet, these advisors must understand the division between truth and excessive frankness, and speak accordingly. It is not appropriate for everyone to speak truthfully to a ruler.

As a ruler one can be loved and feared. While it can be beneficial to be both, it is most crucial to be feared. If the subjects fear the ruler, the ruler controls the subjects. "...I maintain that it is much safer to be feared than loved, if you have to do without one of the two. For of men one can, in general, say this: They are ungrateful, fickle, deceptive and deceiving, avoiders of danger, eager to gain, As long as you serve their interests they are

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Approximate Word count = 1538
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics