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Machiavelli's Views On Commoners

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In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian philosopher, and politician, writes about his views on human nature, politics, and leadership. Machiavelli states that commoners and nobility are in natural conflict, with the nobility wanting to control and oppress commoners and the commoners trying to avoid oppression. How Machiavelli viewed commoners and nobility reflects the political climate of 16th-century Italy and has significantly impacted the study of leadership theory and practice, even today. His observations in Renaissance Italy shaped his views on commoners and nobles and how power is acquired and used as a ruler. This paper will discuss Machiavelli's views on commoners and nobility and how these may affect leadership styles. Machiavelli …show more content…

Machiavelli states rulers should gain and maintain power by whatever means possible, even brutality and manipulation. Machiavelli also believed that commoners were only loyal to their leaders when their needs were met. He thought manipulation should be used to convince the commoners that their needs and interest were met. Overall, Machiavelli viewed the commoners as an essential source of power for leaders, felt they were somewhat challenging to control, and must be carefully governed to gain stability in the state and avoid insurrection (Machiavelli, 1532/2003). Machiavelli viewed the nobility also as a crucial piece of maintaining political power and creating stability. Machiavelli believed the nobility was more rational and stable, with a sense of responsibility to their states. He also acknowledged that the noble class was more likely to act THE PRINCE 3 out of tradition for the state's interest rather than their own needs, thus more suitable for leadership roles. Still, the nobles remained extremely dangerous if their interests did not align with their rulers. Because of this, Machiavelli thought it essential to have the backing of the nobility but warned that they should be carefully managed and not given too much power so

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