Comparing the Idealistic Communities in the Prince and Utopia (Essay Sample)

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Comparing the Idealistic Communities in the Prince and Utopia
The Just War Tradition has for a long time been essential in the political thoughts of the societies. There has been a widespread popular opposition to war since the sixteenth century as it was shown by both Machiavelli and Thomas More in The Prince and Utopia respectively. As presented by the seven criteria of just war tradition, a deep regard is given to the subject of war, armies and the general security of a particular state. Therefore, this paper will be exploring the different comparisons between the book titled "The Prince" by Machiavelli and "Utopia" by Thomas More.
The works of both the writers seem to be at the opposing poles since one is advocating for a crude realism calling it progressive ideas of politics stemming from either the non-Christian or non-religious viewpoints. The other based on a product of Christian humanism and idealism that were shared by Thomas More to the People. Thomas More was not aware of Machiavelli, but he was more concerned with the roles of the Monarchies, the church and their reaction to wars. Machiavelli, on the other hand, was dealing with political realism. More dwelled much on the imaginary land whose primary codes of beliefs based on reason and morality. More generally hated the idea of war, violence and any forms of bloodshed. He was quite skeptical about the political landscape of the European States whose primary systems functioned on the basis of greed, immorality, and pride. More could not approve the Utopians conduct concerning war and other related issues. He was totally against advocating for war under whatever circumstances.
War presented a lost opportunity for the society especially for the churches in educating the people about Just War issues and exercising leadership based on morals. Given the complexity of just war tradition, it is quite difficult to master that as it is vital for the preservation of peace. Many countries have become more alert and even more intelligent in understanding the seven criteria of The Just War Tradition. Utopia stresses the significance of the welfare of the people, therefore receding from war and instead dealing with the resources available within its boundaries. In Utopia, War has always been avoided, but if there is a case where Thomas States that the tactic is "outwitting the opponent or enemy by the power of intellect through reason as well as intelligence. Since money has no value in Utopia, they were able to make still deals with other countries, in the effect winning wars without even fighting. If they had to fight, then mercenaries are hired, this made them not to lose any of the citizens. The new philosophy of war in according to Thomas More varies entirely with that of Machiavelli. Machiavelli, on the other hand, lays his emphasis on the idea of power through war in building a strong army. He states that a Prince must be able to learn to be bold, brave and courageous, and he should assume a personal command and lead his troops himself. War is being initiated to gain more monetary, land, and fame values. According to Machiavelli, a Prince must be well versed in war. He should not avoid war and always destroy his opponents. Unlike in Utopia's philosophy, a Prince is obliged never to hire mercenaries, for "mercenaries are not united, they have no thirsty for power, and they are undisciplined and disloyal. The general well-being of the people is of no concern to the Empire, but just the greed of power through the land as well as money.
Principles of human nature according to Machiavelli and More
It is quite complicated to determine Niccolo Machiavelli’s and Thomas More’s points of view on human’s nature. Each of them took a distinctive approach to the topic. Through Utopia, Thomas attempted to alter man’s thinking by creating and establishing an ideological society. Niccolo Machiavelli, conversely through The Prince, tried to teach humans on how to deal with human nature. With this in mind, Machiavelli’s idea is much more realistic as compared to that of Thomas More. Creating a perfect community has for a long time been the primary objective of many people and leaders. It is quite unfortunate such has been existence in books. The Prince by Machiavelli provides information on becoming a Prince that can obtain, please and keep his empire. Thomas More’s Utopia in contrast creates an ideal civilization that will make people live happily, comfortable without any given problems. To create a structure in the society, it is the nature of human beings to take care of each other. In the imaginary civilization of Utopia, Thomas More‘s view of an ideal community is a community that can get through life in a more comfortable a cheerful way as it is possible. It includes helping the other members of the community to live at peace with each other.
Thomas More is focusing on the well-being of the citizens in creating of happiness and order within the society. More is doing this by initiating the ideas and thoughts of human rights and equality for everybody. With the sense of equality in the community, people will be able to help each other live blissfully and stop to try and become better than each other. Machiavelli conversely is writing about domination as the only principle of human nature to exercise control over the society. He states that the best way to hold an ideal community is to wipe them out done by devastating the community to make them dependent on one person, the prince in this case. Such will make them obey the orders they are given. Machiavelli looks at the hierarchy of power as the main focus and not equality of the community. The people will not be able to live as happy as those in Utopia, but with a good leader who exercises control will ensure the city thrives.
With the rise of universities in the 16th century, many of the old ideas were being questioned and other ideas being created. As the cities were developing, new political arrangements designed to shape the thinking of the community. Machiavelli, who was a pragmatic and realistic political thinker, established a form of political theory in his book The Prince. He gave emphasis to power, war and establishing a stable government by taking the time to form it. With good advisors and well-planned strategies, it will be able for a Prince to rule his people successfully. Debatably, Thomas More had new ideas of different political power in Utopia. He states that a happy and productive state of a given community cannot be achieved until the leaders or the kings start studying philosophy, or the philosophers become the leaders and the kings. Strong philosophical thoughts can only create a strong political government. The citizens of Utopia are shown to be having no private properties. Everything in the society is based on communal sharing. A form of democracy is established by the election of leaders in the various settlements. The government has not been...