Humanism, Statecraft, And Classicism In Machiavelli's The Prince (Essay Sample)

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History Essay
Several ideologies played an important role in the definition of political theories and practices during the renaissance period. Renaissance, also known a rebirth refers to the period when European civilization began in the late Middle Ages. The period was characterized by an increase in interests in various aspects affecting the social, political, and economic lives of the people. Renaissance began in Italy approximately in 1350. The historical period featured distinctive ideologies in politics, learning, literature, religion, art, music, and social life. The changes that accompanied the Renaissance period from the Middle Age were significant. Several defining movements characterized renaissance (Stoycheva). They include humanism, classicism, and statecraft. Machiavelli, a political theorist, and a statesman wrote several works that influence the renaissance period. One specific work was The Prince. Even though Machiavelli received criticism for his work, his political and historical ideologies exemplified elements of the Renaissance that include humanism, statecraft, and classicism. For example, his work The Prince has much information about renaissance such as the importance of personal models in leadership.
Humanism, as a political movement characterized the Renaissance period (Stoycheva). Secular men of letters initiated humanism. It began in Italy. Humanism’s popularity was facilitated by the fall of Constantinople as many eastern scholars moved to Italy while accompanying themselves with manuscripts and important books. Humanism was composed of various significant features. First, it put an emphasis on compatibility and unity of the truth that existed in all theological and philosophical systems and schools. Secondly, it considered human nature under achievements and manifestations as its core subject. Thirdly, humanism also emphasized the need to dignify man. Lastly, it was concerned with the need to have a rebirth of human’s lost spirit and wisdom. Humanism, therefore, was more concerned about the need to help men separate from mental strictures that were because of religious orthodoxy (Spencer). It was also meant to inspire new confidence in human creations and thoughts through promoting criticism and free inquiry, Machiavelli’s ideologies (Tafuri 12). The Prince expresses aspects of humanism since it was meant to affirm but not renounce worldly ambition and political skills to success. Machiavelli offered a piece of advice to Lorenzo that as a ruler, he was to exercise his mind by engaging in the proper reading of the history of previous great leaders and the successes that accompanied their leadership styles. The idea of having good information about past leaders and their achievements is an important aspect of humanism (Spencer). Humanism comprised the consideration of human nature under achievements and manifestations. Machiavelli believed that reading history would empower Lorenzo to become a great leader just as the past leaders who managed to reach certain milestones, an aspect of classicism (Machiavelli). Machiavelli drew examples from the Roman Empire since it was characterized by success due to the idea that the Romans never reconsidered the idea of engaging in war when trouble was looming. Also, Machiavelli also stressed the need to have personal models among leaders in The Prince. He explained that leaders should look for models who have been praised and admired due to their exemplary performances (Spencer). Some of these leaders include Alexander the Great, Pertinax, and Marcus Aurelius among others. The aspects of history and the idea of having successful leaders as personal models are important in the definition of humanism and that is the reason The Prince exemplified renaissance.
Machiavelli in The Prince exemplified statecraft, an aspect of the renaissance. According to Machiavelli, if a leader concentrates on his or her dynastic or personal ambition, he or she is not worthy of being a leader. He states, “It is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion in order to preserve the state.” (Machiavelli).It means that the state is not the ultimate end of statecraft but it has an important role compared to other personal ambitions. But if the state is the ultimate end to statecraft, Machiavelli states that there is no dilemma in case a few individuals are sacrificed for its stability purposes. Statecraft is exemplified majorly through Machiavelli’s discussion of the different types of governments, their establishment, and the ones that are preferable in what circumstances. Machiavelli explains that there are two major types of governments that are newly acquired states and hereditary. A hereditary government is described as one that has been passed from one person to another while a newly acquired one involves governing over new people using new rules and policies. Machiavelli describes a hereditary government as easier to govern compared to a newly acquired one since people in the hereditary government have become used to the existing laws (Vatter 28). He describes a newly acquired state involves high expectations from the people and in case they are not met, the leader is likely to get high resistance from the people. Machiavelli then describes how the new leaders can avoid the resistance by setting up new orders different from the existing ones despite the opposition that they will get. Machiavelli’s argument is that a leader should have the state’s interest beforehand and in case there are sacrifices needed, the leader will be required to offer them for the sake of the country (Viroli 110). Machiavelli’s ideology represents an aspect of statecraft. It, therefore, means that the interest of the nation is placed first before individual interest. Replacing the old order may mean that new leaders will interfere with personal interests of other individuals (Machiavelli). Statecraft, therefore, is exemplified in Machiavelli’s writing The Prince.
Another movement that characterized the renaissance period was classicism. Machiavelli illuminates classicism, an aspect of the renaissance, in his writing The Prince. Classicism is described as an approach that is based on imitating antiquity and the assumption of certain set values that are attributed to earlier existing dynasties that were successful. Administration is...