Of all the political authors and scholars of the Renaissance period, there is always one name that seems to rise above unlike no other than Niccolo Machiavelli. Many have criticized him as being someone of an "evil" person because of his published opinions over politics. However, there are also some people like Alistair McAlpine, who seems to differ in labeling Machiavelli as an "evil" person. McAlpine believes that there is no evidence to suggest that Machiavelli was an evil person. Instead, he feels that Machiavelli understood the capacity for evil that lurks in all of us. McAlpine also stated that Machiavelli did not advocate evil doing, but he was able to accept that "all human activity, and especially politics, will involve evil-doing" (McAlpine xii). The purpose of this paper will be to discuss if Machiavelli's The Prince is a modern man, and if McAlpine would agree with this opinion. I would consider Machiavelli to be a modern man. I say this for several reason!

s that will be discussed below by using three characteristics of the modern, and conclude why I think that McAlpine would agree with this opinion.

The first characteristic of the modern that will be discussed in t

has been their prince for a long time, or they are new." In regards to the new ones, they are "either altogether new," or they are "like members added to the hereditary state of the price who acquires them" (Mansfield 5). He also suggests that a prince, who has acquired a principality, should want to be noted for being "merciful and not cruel" (Mansfield 65). And the final point to make is, whether it is better for a prince to be loved or feared. Machiavelli suggests that it would be better to be both loved and feared. However, if you cannot have both, it would be better to be feared than loved. This is because "love is held by a chain of obligation, which, because men are wicked, is broken at every opportunity for their own utility, but fear is held by a dread of punishment that never forsakes you" (Mansfield 66-67).

The final characteristic of the modern to be discussed will be Politics. A general definition of politics can be that of who gets what, why, when and where. In other words, it can be the competition between individuals for power and leadership. It seems that Machiavelli suggests that personal success for a prince should be defined by maintaining your power and managing your people to your personal best interest (Mansfield 38-41). Machiavelli also suggests in order to being a successful prince, you must become one of the people (Mansfield 4). You want loyalty from your people, without it you do not have their continued support. If you are not one of the people, success and loyalty with them cannot be established. Another point, the quest for money by politics will not satisfy a prince, it is achieving glory that gives politics meaning. Machiavelli also mentions the two ways of acquiring a principality, which are "either hereditary, in which the bloodline of their lord !

In conclusion, I f

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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)