Machiavelli's The Prince Is Still Relevant Today

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Many individuals are more fond of something if it is done in their point of view. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book called, The Prince, and it was used as a guideline to other princes in the world on how to become a better prince. From the beginning, he already states how to become a good ruler. Machiavelli cites “Such dominions thus acquired are either accustomed to live under a prince, or to live in freedom; and are acquired either by the arms of the prince himself, or of others, or else by fortune or by ability.” However, a contemporary European leader named Clement Attlee does show that Machiavelli’s advice to leaders is still relevant today. He was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was in office from July 26 1945- October 26 1951. He had a very smart strategy that he …show more content…

Going into war, leaders always go prepared with a strategic plan. The government he led built the post war consensus. Also, he strongly supported the Cold War against Soviet Communism. Attlee sent many troops to fight in war. One of them was the Malayan Emergency in 1948. He led Labour into a victory in the year of 1950 and later sent more troops to fight in the Korean War. In the year 1951 he was defeated by Winston Churchill. Attlee fought in war identifying the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent. Machiavelli also said that to have a strong army, a leader must build off of a strong foundation. The way to be strong is by having good armies and good laws. Attlee, was a victor even though he did get defeated. As Machiavelli stated “Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved” (Machiavelli 43).” Now that his people know what he is able to do, they fear him, but at the same time he gains respect. As long as the leader keeps his people safe during war, people will respect him. However, if the leader comes back with half of his troop dead, they will begin to