Machiavelli And Aristotle s Ways Of Thinking - 2396 Words

Often when analyzing key political shifts, one evaluates great men who reformed political theory. Niccolà ³ Machiavelli and Aristotle are shinning examples of great men of history, and they both had large contributions to political philosophy. Machiavelli and Aristotle’s ways of thinking varied very much. Machiavelli believed that a prosperous state would revolve around fear. Whereas Aristotle believed that a state that revolved around the principles of trust, and a humble leader were the keys to its success. Although both of these thinkers’ ideas are now partially out-dated as they were written in both Medieval Europe and Ancient Greece, however their ideas continue to exist in modern civilization. Niccolà ³ Machiavelli (1469-1527) was†¦show more content†¦Not without reason, many commentators suggest that Machiavelli was the father of modern political thought or modern political science. One of Machiavelli’s most notable positions was serving as a political advisor to the Borgia family. The family’s name became synonymous with betrayal and murder, as the head of the family was a controversial figure, Pope Alexander VI. Machiavelli was impressed with the ways in which the Borgia family members seized and maintained their power, and sought to advise the Pope in Machiavelli’s own direction, a direct line into concentrated political reform. Perhaps what makes Machiavelli so famous, was his work â€Å"on Principalities† [1512], or as it is now titled, The Prince. The well-known book announced a dramatic shift in a new way of thinking in terms of political power. The political doctrine laid out moral and religious systems of thought. Machiavelli is also know for stating his thoughts on the truth of politics, how the world â€Å"ought† to be rather than how it â€Å"is†. Machiavelli being a realist adopted the that one should fear their leader instead of love him, as subjects love at their pleasure while they fear at the pleasure of the leader in power. He also insisted on violence and cruelty to keep the order in a state, as it creates fear in terms of the leader however it helps avoid