Machiavelli's Political Theory (Essay Sample)

Machiavelli’s Theory on Political Leadership
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Machiavelli’s Theory on Political Leadership
Many leaders are remembered for their specific political leadership theories, but non left behind a more controversial theory as Niccolo Machiavelli. His views on political leadership are highlighted in his work, The Prince, which shows how leaders can obtain and maintain powers to maintain authority over their subjects. Even though other people find Machiavellian theory effective, I believe it is associated with many flaws that make it the least approach to political leadership. I think the Machiavellian theory is ineffective and misleading since it ignores ethical rules, contrasts Machiavelli's political leadership style, and provides a limited understanding of a great leader.[Hassanzadeh, Navid. "Machiavelli and the virtues of pessimism." Philosophy & Social Criticism 46, no. 2 (2020): 203-223. https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453719849720]
I think Machiavelli’s political theory advising leaders to ignore ethical rules is misleading. Machiavelli argued that observing moral practices is unnecessary, and what was essential to be an effective leader is learning how not to be good. For Machiavelli, a leader should always strive to establish his rise to authority based on his work and attributes, not those prescribed by society. However, this advice is wrong since if a leader is not bound to ethical standards and practices, his rivals can adopt the same approach and use it against him. Therefore, separating moral values completely from leadership is dangerous as there should be a certain extent of ethics in politics.[Knoll, Manuel. "Machiavelli's consequentialist ethics of responsibility." History of Political Thought 40, no. 4 (2019): 631-648. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/imp/hpt/2019/00000040/00000004/art00004]
Besides, I think Machiavellian principles are different from those applied by Machiavelli during his tenure, thus reducing its practicality. Based on reason and history, Machiavelli’s leadership style differs from his political leadership theory, thus controversial. According to Machiavellian theory, a great leader is feared, supported by his subjects, and has intelligence. However, Machiavelli failed to display these qualities during this tenure, thus making his followers doubt if his political theory could work. Machiavelli was no longer feared by his subjects, the Florentine people. Therefore, his ideas highlighted in The Prince alienated him from his subjects and failed to win him the favor of the Medici family.[Hassanzadeh, Navid. "Machiavelli and the virtues of pessimism." Philosophy & Social Criticism 46, no. 2 (2020): 203-223. https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453719849720] [Knoll, Manuel. "Machiavelli's consequentialist ethics of responsibility." History of Political Thought 40, no. 4 (2019): 631-648. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/imp/hpt/2019/00000040/00000004/art00004]
Additionally, I think Machiavelli’s understanding of a great leader is limited. Machiavelli’s reasoning that all powers must be absolute powers is