Mark Cruz
TOK II Summer Assignment
Format
 Quote Number.  A. Chapter Number Title Page number
		   B. Context/Meaning
		   C. Historical Event

1. 	A.  Chapter III	Mixed Principalities p.7
	B. This statement is taken from a passage that deals with the consequences of the 	subjugation of another territory by foreign power. To me it means that when one 	takes an area by force, he will most likely have to do it through some method that 	will prove to be detrimental to the people being subjugated.
	C. This quote reminds me of when Prussia annexed Schleiswig-Holstein from 	Holland, resulting in massive bloodshed and discontent for the subjugated 	peoples.

2.	A. Chapter III Mixed Principalities p.7
	B. This statement comes from the same passage as the previous one. Basically, 	Machiavelli is asserting that when taking over any foreign principality, one should 	have the support of those who are to be subjugated in order for the campaign to 	succeed with few problems.
	C. This quote reminds me of Italian unification under the House of Savoy. 	Without popular support , such unification would surely have failed.

3.	A.  Chapter III Mixed Principalities p.9
	B.  This passage comes from a section which deals with the proper way in which 	to conquer a foreign land. Machiavelli is basically saying that you should either 	leave the inhabitants with relatively little injury or completely render them 	incapable of future rebellion. Anything in-between would ultimately lead to an 	uprising and the loss of that principality.
	C. This reminds me of post World War II treatment of the aggressor nation of
	Germany. Germany was rendered virtually incapable of waging a future war 
	through high war reparations and treaties.

4.	A.  Chapter III Mixed Principalities p.11
	B. This quotation comes from a section that deals with the success of the Romans.
	In the section, the early detection of a problem is compared to early detection of 	an illness. At first, illnesses are hard to diagnose but easier to treat, and during 	later stages hard to treat but easy to diagnose. What this means is that if a ruler 	sees any problem, no matter how small, he ought to deal with it promptly before it 	grows out of control.
	C. This reminds me of Louis XVI, who allowed troubles in his country to 	overwhelm him into calling an Estates General, which would ultimately lead to 	nationwide rebellion.

5. 	A. Chapter IV Mixed Principalities p.15
	B. This quote comes from a section which deals with the balance of power 	between nations, and cites France as a prime example. What it essentially means 
	is that those who attain power should also be ever vigilant, for man by his very 	nature seeks to attain more power than what he currently has. Thus, allowing an 	adversary to grow stronger essentially makes you weaker.
	C. This reminds me of the beginning of World War I, when other European 	powers allowed Germany to amass too much land and weaponry, leading to a 	prolonged conflict.

6.	A. Chapter VI	New principalities acquired by one’s own arms and ability
	p. 19
	B.  This statement is taken from a section which deals with the achievement of 	“remarkable men” and how people, by nature, seek to imitate these men. 	Essentially, what Machiavelli is saying is that people often aspire to attain the 	same level of greatness as those who preceded them; to do such is only human 	nature.
	C. This reminds me of Napoleon III ambition to restore France to its former glory
	as Napoleon did before him. 

7.	A. Chapter VIII Those who become rulers through wicked means p.31
	B. This statement comes from a section in which Machiavelli deals with
	individuals who attain power via treacherous behavior. Machiavelli here shows a 	hint of morality when he states that killing cannot be “called virtue”, and states 	that such methods are not honorable.
	C. This brings to mind the rule of tyrants such as Robbespierre who kept power 	through slaughter of innocents.

8.	A. Chapter XIV How a ruler should act concerning military manners p.54
	B.  The context of this section deals with the proper method of preparing for war. 	Machiavelli essentially asserts here that one should aspire to strengthen his 	country’s war making powers, even especially during peacetime in order to be 	ready for inevitable conflict.
	C. This reminds me of Britain’s policy to have a Navy twice as large as the next
	two biggest Navies combined just in case of war.

9. 	A. Chapter XV The things for which men, and especially rulers, a praised or 	blamed p. 54
	B.  This quotation comes from a section that deals with a ruler’s behavior in 	certain situations. Machiavelli basically asserts that rulers should not be too 	idealistic in the way the rule the people, for people quite often live differently 	than what is perceived. A ruler should understand this and adapt policy 	accordingly.
	C. This reminds me of propaganda spread by Napoleon which depicted him on a 	farm with peasants tilling the ground. Napoleon wanted to have an image of being
	in tough with the populous as a whole.
10. 	A. Chapter XVI Generosity and meanness p. 57
	B. The context of this section is that often rulers try to satisfy one group and end 	up hurting the larger more important group. Machiavelli uses the example of how 	giving to the poor will ultimately deplete revenue, leading to higher tariffs and 	taxes and ultimately middle class unrest and revolt. One must aim to please the 	majority of the people in order to stay in power.
	C. This brings to mind how King Louis sought to appease the nobles, which 	ultimately only upset the larger middle and lower classes.

11. 	 A. Chapter XVII Cruelty and mercifulness; whether it is better to be loved or 	feared 	p. 59
	B. This comes from a section that deals with  the pros and cons of being a loved 	versus a feared ruler. Essentially, Machiavelli states that men, due to their nature, 	will break their promises  (for they are nothing more than promises of loyalty) to 	the ruler when the time for action comes. When fear is in the hearts of men, 	however, they are more compelled to act. It is better to be feared and not
	hated than to be loved. 
	C. This reminds me of when Julius Caesar was betrayed by the conspirators and 	killed.

12. 	A. Chapter XVII Cruelty and mercifulness; whether it is better to be loved or 	feared 	p.61
	B. This statement is essentially in the same vein as the previous one. Machiavelli 	states here that  a ruler should not rely too heavily on what other scan do for him, 	but rather on that which he can do for himself.
	C.  This reminds me of General Moltke who relied to heavily on his field 	commanders rather than his own ability, which led to the failure of the Schlieffen 	plan.

13. 	A. Chapter XIX How contempt and hatred should be avoided p. 64
	B. Here Machiavelli deals with the manner in which rulers should carry 	themselves in decision making policies and in front of the people. He essentially 	says that the rulers image must be consistent, his decisions should be written in 	stone to project power. This helps both in internal and external affairs.
	C. This reminds me of the rule of Adolph Hitler and how his immense oratory 	projected an image of power to the German people.

14.	A. Chapter XX Whether building fortresses, and many things that rulers 	frequently do, are useful or not p. 72
	B. This statement is taken from a section which deals with a ruler’s tendency to 	disarm people to avoid rebellion. Machiavelli asserts that such behavior offends 	the people and could ultimately lead to hatred. Physically disarming them only 	arms their rebellios spirit. He maintains that is a better choice to arm the people 	to build confidence.
	C.  This section reminds me of the French Maginot line. While it was a good idea 	in practice, it ultimately helped very little because the Germans just bypassed it. 	The same thing is true with disarming people and building useless fortresses.

15.  	A. Chapter XX Whether building fortresses, and many things that rulers 	frequently do, are useful or not p. 74
	B. In this section Machiavelli deals with the ease in which a ruler can gain allies 	after a conflict is resolved. He maintains that those who opposed the ruler initially 
	but later realize they need the ruler to sustain power are the most easily one over.
	Essentially, those who need the ruler most will be the same ones most compelled 	to please him.
	C. This brings to mind the behavior of the a few members of the nobility during 	the French revolution. Many sided with the peasants upon realization that the 	peasant rebellion could not be stopped and that they may lose their lives.

16.	A. Chapter XXI How rulers should act in order to gain reputation p. 79
	B. This quotation is taken from a passage in which Machiavelli warns of the 	dangers of entering wars allied with other powers. A ruler should always have the 	foresight to predict which action is best to take, for no action is without its own 	consequence. These outcomes must be weighed against each other and the better 	course should be taken.
	C. This section reminds me of Italy’s aiding Russia during the Crimean War in 	order to gain a favorable ally.

17. 	A. Chapter XXIII How flatterers should be shunned p.82
	B. This quote deals with the caution rulers should take when listening to any
	advice. Machiavelli states that rulers should be cautions when taking advice, and 	that they should not be too fickle in their decision making. This will project an 	image of weakness and show people that the ruler is easily influenced. The ruler 	should still be open to suggestion, but still have a firm course of action in mind.
	C. This reminds me of presidents who relied too heavily on advice from their 	cabinets and thus were viewed as weak.

18. 	A. Chapter XXIV Why the rulers of Italy have lost their states p. 84
	B. This quote, as the title implies, is taken from a section in which Machiavelli 	states why Italian rulers have lost power in the past. Machiavelli states that
	rulers should not rely on others for their defense. Such behavior is, in his eyes, 	cowardly and insecure. He asserts that several past rulers of Italy have done thusly 	and have lost power because of it.
	C. This reminds me of King Louis who fled France hoping that noble emigres 	would restore him to power.

19. 	A. Chapter XXV How much power fortune has over human affairs, and how it 	should be resisted p. 87
	B.  In this section, Machiavelli deals with the nature of fortune. He compares 	fortune to both a river and to a woman, stating that fortune, like a river, can flood 	but one can prepare via dikes and levies. He asserts that while it is good to 	prepare for misfortune, it is better to be impetuous because fortune (which is 	apparently a woman) likes that sort of thing. How can one “control” fortune?? I 	suppose he means to say take advantage of fortune.
	C. This reminds me of Napoleon Bonaparte, who many regard as the supreme 	opportunist. He was a man of fortune because he took opportunities as they came 	along and used them to his own advantage.

Essay

	After reading Machiavelli’s work The Prince, one cannot help to make speculations regarding his moral stance. Indeed, there are three prevailing views on this matter. One group argues that Machiavelli is clearly immoral  based on his literary works, others argue that he is moral, and many others assert that Machiavelli was indeed an amoral man. 

Thesis: While The Prince does contain evidence supporting all three points of view, the bulk of this work by Niccolo Macchiaveli points to the fact that he was an amoral man. 
	
	For argument’s sake, let us take the word “amoral” to mean lacking moral sensibility or not caring about right or wrong. Analysis of The Prince reveals that Machiavelli remains objective throughout the work itself. It is seldom that he passes judgment on the actions of others. Simply put, Machiavelli states the facts. 

Counterpoint: Machiavelli does pass judgment from a moral standpoint
	
	“Yet it cannot be called virtue to kill one’s fellow-citizens, to betray one’s 	friends, to be treacherous, merciless and irreligious, power may be gained by 	acting in such ways, but not glory” (Machiavelli 31).

Machiavelli never directly classifies such behavior is immoral, rather he subtly implies that gaining power in such a manner is not honorable.

Support“ Therefore, a ruler should worry little about being though miserly: he will not 	have to rob his subjects; he will be able to defend himself; he will avoid being 	poor and despised and will not be forced to become rapacious. For meanness is 	one of those vices that enable him to rule” (Machiavelli 57).

Here, Machiavelli actually encourages a ruler not to help the poor, in order to strengthen his own power and benefit the masses. Again, Machiavelli does not pass judgment, but merely states what SHOULD be done in order to keep power.

Point: Machiavelli does not preoccupy himself with what is right nor with what is wrong, only about what must be done to stay in power. 	
	“If a ruler who wants always to act honourably is surrounded by many 	unscrupulous men his downfall is inevitable. Therefore, a ruler who wishes to 	maintain his power must be prepared to act immorally when this becomes 	necessary” (Machiavelli 55).

Conclusion
	Evidence shows that Machiavelli’s The Prince is written from an amoral standpoint. Machiavelli manages to get his message through without being concerned with issues such as morality. Despite evidence to the contrary, Machiavelli’s purpose was  to inform a Prince on how he should obtain and retain power.