Based Machiavelli’s The Prince and Discourses readings, in securing the state, to what extent should a prince (leader) be motivated by the happiness of the people?
Using Volume 1 of Klosko’s History of Political Theory, describe how ancient theorists viewed the ends of the state and how citizens or rulers should act.
September 10, 2019According to Machiavelli how far should princely authority extend? In whatareas should a prince never interfere with his subjects? Why does he draw the boundaries of princely authority at these points?
September 10, 2019Based Machiavelli’s The Prince and Discourses readings, in securing the state, to what extent should a prince (leader) be motivated by the happiness of the people?
Question Description
Question 1
Machiavelli’s two best known works are The Prince and Discourses. Each offers good insight into the philosophy of Machiavelli. Based on these readings, in securing the state, to what extent should a prince (leader) be motivated by the happiness of the people? With specific examples, are current American leaders motivated by the happiness of the people?
Question 2
Although they are all considered social contract theorists, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau had very different ideas of what form that social contract should take, and not all supported democracy as the best style of government.
In a House of Commons Speech (November 11, 1947), Winston Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
Given Churchill’s comment, and the works of the social contract theorists, is Democracy the best form of government today? APA Format
