Machiavelli Essay
Until recently, I had never really thought much about the justifications of war. It had never pertained to my life; however when the subject became a reality for me this past year, I began to delve into the depth of the philosophies, legalities, policies, and political theories relating to war, attempting to justify past wars. I looked at war from all points of view, as each side of the fight has its own justifications for pursuing conflict. From taking a course in ethics at my university to attending nearby political rallies for and against the recent war on Iraq, I found myself with an overall picture of everyone else’s views on the subject. I was still searching for my own justifications.
It was only by chance that I had the good fortune of reading Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince for my freshman writing seminar. Written in 1513, The Prince is regarded as one of the most controversial yet crucial works in the field of political science- controversial because Machiavelli’s views were in total contrast with the humanist beliefs and teachings of his time; crucial because the book captivated its readers, transforming many to analyze and adopt Machiavelli’s perspective. While the book was written in the sixteenth century, its ideas are very much applicable to the challenges of war that society faces today. Read more…