Niccolo Machiavelli was a true product of circumstance and of the time period in which he lived. He witnessed first-hand how the bickering and in-fighting among the powerful Italian families, such as the Medici family, lead to poor governing and left them exposed to outside threats. He noticed how a ruthless family, the Borgias, was able to keep control of their territory and expand their power. He understood that a kind, cautious and just leader could not keep power for long. Machiavelli came up with his idea for an effective government in his treatise, “The Prince”. This treatise was written to show how a ruler should be able maintain power. A ruler has many ways of rising to power and lead his people through his ability. From good fortune that was passed down from family, through killing people and also through the help of his noble peers. The rise to power is only part of the process, maintaining power and control …show more content…
The leader needed to do whatever he had to do to keep his territory running smoothly, and therefore remain in command. Machiavelli talked about what certain rulers should do to succeed and what they should not do. This means that a successful ruler would have to put aside any notion of morality and do what is necessary according to the specific situation. The leader would have to adapt to changes and strike a balance between ruthlessness and compassion. This philosophy went against the accepted policy at the time, in which a kind and just ruler with a strict moral code was held in the highest regard. Machiavelli believed by virtue of being a ruler you have the right to command and that moral goodness does not ensure you can maintain power. A ruler can be morally good but not a good leader and could lose control easily. A ruler should seek to hold his power by keeping the city stable by any means