R615thand16th

6. Developments in social, economic, and political thought, including ideologies characterized as “-isms,” such as socialism, liberalism, nationalism //The Prince,// by Niccolò Machiavelli, contains the author’s political theories on how a prince can become a ruler and how he should be ruling his land. Machiavelli feels that if he must be a strict ruler for the sake of the country, so be it, but he must avoid being hated at all costs. Machiavelli argued that a ruler should do whatever it takes to help his country, even though it may seem deceitful or unfair to others at times. If the consequences became an advantage to the country, then the ruler had done well. In other words, Machiavelli felt “the ends justify the means.” //The Prince// became a controversial work of literature because most people did not agree with this view of ruling. They felt rulers should always be fair and just. Putting the country in danger for something that might benefit them was not common thought. Many rulers became influenced by Machiavelli's political ideas without intending to.

McKay, John P. __A History of Western Society__. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003