"Sovereign" Machiavelli: a short summary of the book as a reflection of the Renaissance

Whatever they say, the work of the master is inseparable from the vicissitudes of his life and the spirit of his contemporary era. A striking example of this is the "Sovereign" Machiavelli. The summary of this treatise fully conveys the stormy, adventure-rich biography of the first political technologist, and at the same time the brilliant and bloody era of the High Renaissance in which he lived. Just one thing that Niccolo Machiavelli dedicated his work to Lorenzo de 'Medici, against whom he participated in the conspiracy, speaks volumes. And the fact that the Florentine ruler has learned much useful from this treatise is evidenced by the fact that he never forgave Machiavelli's treason and brought him closer to his court.

Judge's son, Niccolo initially occupied a prominent position in the Florentine Republic. On the instructions of her authorities, he approached the court of Cesare Borgia. He was considered an odious figure, even for his bloody time. The illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI, Cesare proved himself to be a successful politician, assertive and cruel. Leaving the wake of the mountains of corpses, he successfully built a vertical power in his duchy Valentine - not without the support of the Vatican. However, after the death of the Pope, fortune turned from Cesare, condemning him to death (1507). Machiavelli was at the court of the Duke in 1502-1504, accompanied him in military campaigns and incidentally plotted his Florentine employers. However, after the death, it was Cesare who became the prototype of the real ruler, on which the Machiavellian treatise "The Emperor" (1513) was based.

In the original, the title of the book sounds like "Il Principe", which means "prince". However, it would be a simplification to consider the work of the Florentine thinker a mere farewell to the ruler, to whom the throne passed by heredity. Man is the blacksmith of his own destiny. So says the proverb of the time, and the "Sovereign" Machiavelli, the summary of which is given here, only confirms this maxim. In the first thirteen chapters, the author discusses what types of government (republics or tyrannies) there are. He also gives several examples of how to seize the throne, using the example of history.

"It is not necessary to rely on the grace of fate," the son of a lawyer writes, "but to achieve everything with one's own prowess." Under this last word ("virtu") Machiavelli understands both the boldness and determination of the lion, and the cunning, caution and meanness of the fox. A mixture of the qualities of these two beasts must also be enjoyed by the Emperor Machiavelli. The summary of the treatise tells us that the ruler, in order to stay in power, must display cruelty and resolutely deal with his political enemies. He does not necessarily have to keep his word, if circumstances so require. And in general, it is better to inspire subjects with fear, rather than love.

From the 14th chapter, the book "Sovereign" Machiavelli, whose brief content is difficult to overestimate, completely focuses on the personality of a worthy ruler. The author argues, for which the rulers are blamed and praised, and calls on politicians to surround themselves with wise and faithful advisers, not flatterers. Analyzing the human nature, he comes to the conclusion that the philistine much more tuzhit on the stolen wallet than the deceased father, and calls to rely on the profit of the allies.

In modern schools of new political technologies, the main guide and textbook is, of course, not Machiavelli "Sovereign". The content of his work is too openly and naively open to our hypocritical world. However, the meaning of this book is not outdated. And this is clearly demonstrated to us by modern politicians.