Review of Machiavelli's The Prince

These flashcards cover key concepts, themes, and vocabulary from Machiavelli's The Prince to aid in exam preparation.

Virtù

The qualities and abilities a ruler must possess to succeed, including skill, strength, decisiveness, and cunning.

Fortuna

Luck or fate that can unpredictably affect a ruler's success and must be skillfully navigated.

Political Realism

An approach that focuses on practical strategies for governance, often rejecting idealistic notions in favor of a realistic assessment of politics.

The Ends Justify the Means

The idea that results are more important than the methods used to achieve them, allowing for deception and manipulation.

Fear vs. Love

Machiavelli's assertion that it is safer for a ruler to be feared than loved, as fear ensures loyalty while love is unreliable.

The Importance of Appearances

The concept that a ruler should appear virtuous to maintain public perception despite possibly acting contrary to virtue.

Cynicism about Human Nature

Machiavelli's belief that people are inherently selfish, deceitful, and fickle, leading rulers to be wary of trusting them.

The Role of the Military

Machiavelli argues for the necessity of strong, loyal military forces, cautioning against the use of mercenaries.

The Ethical Implications of Machiavelli's Advice

Criticism of Machiavelli's work for its apparent disregard for traditional ethical considerations in politics.

Mixed Government

Machiavelli's view that liberty thrives under a mixed government with balanced powers rather than a single ruler.