Political Theorists, Niccolo Machiavelli And Socrates

Political theorists, Niccolo Machiavelli and Socrates, formulated their thoughts in heightened political climates in their respective countries leading to their definitive and explicit opinions surrounding how a governmental system should be run. The government systems proposed by both theorists are vastly different due to what each individual prioritizes in terms of political necessities. Machiavelli’s concept is to describe the means in obtaining power in order to define a political structure that maintains strength in a society. He maintains this power through any means necessary including violence and presumably deceitful acts while instilling fear among his inferiors. On the contrast, through The Apology and Crito, a reader can infer†¦show more content†¦A â€Å"Machiavellian government† is one that takes violence into consideration when obtaining a leader position as well as a means in maintaining structured citizens. In contrast, Socrates does not speak of means in obtaining this form of leadership, however, he speaks of devoting his life to wisdom and spreading knowledge on pure ‘goodness’ among humans. Socrates shows little interest in a governmental system that is comprised of citizens who fear their leader, but instead, citizens and rulers who respect and strive for a common good among all. Machiavelli argues that both love and fear cannot exist in a society, therefore he comes to the conclusion that a Prince should strive for fear from his citizens. He rationalized this concept by stating that â€Å"fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never fails† (XVII, 61). Machiavelli creates a scene that distributes the citizens of a society into a tight hierarchy whereas the sovereign is controlling and threatening. This form of government follows strict guidelines with no form of justice for the guilty. In this setting, Socrates would not receive the right to defend himself in front of a court in the way he has in the Apology. In his spiel, he states his love for Athens and the authority that governs, he does not fear his superiors, rather, respects them. Socrates’ opportunity to stand in front of a juryShow MoreRelatedSocrates And Niccolo Machiavelli1735 Words   |  7 PagesEssay 1: Socrates and Machiavelli Although Socrates and Niccolo Machiavelli lived in different time periods, the political climate that their philosophies were founded on were very similar. The trial of Socrates began after the Peloponnesian War when the new Spartan Tyranny took over the Athenian government. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and disrespecting the gods by the Spartan government. In the eyes of the Spartan government Socrates is a gadfly because of his posing of upsettingRead MoreEssay about Niccolo Machiavelli1653 Words   |  7 Pagesto legend, just before his death, Niccolo Machiavelli told his friends that had remained faithful to him up until the very end about a dream he had had. In his dream, he had seen a group of peasants, wretched and decrepit in appearance. He asked them who they were. They replied, ‘We are the saintly and the blessed; we are on our way to heaven.’ Then he saw a crowd of formally attired men, aristocratic and grim in appearance, speaking solemnly of important political matters. Again, he asked them whoRead More Comparing the Concepts of Seeming and Being in Relation to Political Power and Leadership in The Prince and The Republic2977 Words   |  12 PagesConcepts of Seeming and Being in Relation to Political Power and Leadership in The Prince and The Republic 9. Machiavelli says the prince only has to seem good, not be good. Socrates insists that seeming is bad, being is good. Is it better to remain in the cave with Machiavelli, or see the light with Socrates? Write three pages for Machiavelli and against Socrates, write another three pages against Machiavelli and for Socrates. Both Niccolà ² Machiavelli and Plato, in their works The Prince andRead Morehistory of philosophy5031 Words   |  21 PagesPhilosophers Aestheticians Epistemologists Ethicists Logicians Metaphysicians Social and political philosophers Traditions Analytic Continental Eastern Islamic Platonic Scholastic Periods Ancient Medieval Modern Contemporary Literature Aesthetics Epistemology Ethics Logic Metaphysics Political philosophy Branches Aesthetics Epistemology Ethics Logic Metaphysics Political philosophy Social philosophy Lists Index Outline Years Problems Publications Theories