Critique of Moralist LeadershipThroughout Machiavelli’s career, as a politician and a writer, he has critiqued moralist leadership. Moralist leadership is when a leader makes decisions about the community or kingdom based on the right thing to do, not on the way to maintain power or be the people’s favorite leader.[11] Machiavelli insists that obtaining and maintaining leadership is the best way to lead. From all of Machiavelli’s actions and writings, we can assume that he is a very devious character. He enjoys being better than others, and was probably self-centered.Through his writings of the Prince, other political guides, and many plays, Machiavelli has articulated his ability to be cunning and persuasive. He also illustrates his knowledge on power.[12] Although Machiavelli’s work was greatly disrespected at the time (it led to him being tortured and banned from the church), today his work is extremely influential and powerful in creating the leaders of today.
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The Discourses (i and ii)
The Discourses consists of three main books. The first focuses on the Romans and their failure to have a good leader. The second focuses on how the Romans exaggerated the power of their Empire, and eventually collapsed. The third focuses on advice and guides a ruler on how to preserve and govern the state.[13] The Discourses are important because they are an elaboration of Machiavelli’s The Prince. The Prince is like a handbook for rulers, and The Discourses were written over a long period of time that clearly articulate Machiavelli’s personal beliefs. We see in The Discourses that Machiavelli actually prefers a democracy to a monarchy.[14] Why? Most likely because all of the people in the community can be a part of the politics and decision making, while in a monarchy only one person has control. Despite Machiavelli’s intense and deceptive view in The Prince, The Discourses articulate Machiavelli’s real beliefs and how a democratic government should be run, instead of a monarchy.
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