Assignment Topic
The Prince of Machiavelli is more administrative than political
Course Name: PAD201
Introduction to Public Administration
Section: 2
Submitted to
Dr. Kabir M. Ashraf Alam (KAA3)
North South University
Department of Political Science and Sociology
Submitted by
Nafiul Alam Polip
1921152030
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The Prince of Machiavelli is more administrative than political
Introduction
From ancient Greek philosophy through the Renaissance, philosophers and thinkers were
preoccupied with the ultimate purpose of the state. They believed that the political authority of the
state should be utilized to achieve greater objectives, often framed in moral terms. This perspective
held true from the times of Plato and Aristotle up to the 16th century. However, Machiavelli
diverged from this viewpoint significantly. According to him, the primary objective of the state is
to attain and enhance its own power. In essence, every state should strive to maximize its power,
and failure in this pursuit would lead to significant upheaval. Consequently, Machiavelli focused
his attention on identifying the most effective means for acquiring, maintaining, and expanding
this power.
MACHIAVELLI'S Theory of Political Power
The state represents the highest and essential form of human organization, vital for advancing
human well-being. It deserves reverence, even to the extent of sacrificing individual interests for
the sake of the state's benefit. Success in governance is attributed to power, and a ruler is justified
in utilizing various means to attain political power. A key figure in shaping and safeguarding the
state is the political statesman. Consequently, Machiavelli's "The Prince" delves into the
acquisition of power, a central theme crucial to contemporary power politics, with Machiavelli and
his book being pivotal references.
THE PRINCE” AND THE CENTRAL THEME OF PRINCE
"Machiavelli authored notable works like 'The Discourses' and 'The Art of War,' which extensively
analyze political systems. 'The Prince' serves as a guide on the 'Art of government' and 'Statecraft,'
depicting it as a practical manual rather than an academic discourse on political science. This book
offers advice tailored to any ruler, emphasizing the importance of power for achieving objectives.
Machiavelli advocates that a ruler should employ any means necessary, including force and
deception, to attain and retain power. He also stresses the significance of wisdom and fairness in
a ruler. Gaining the respect and loyalty of subjects is vital for long-term power retention.
Furthermore, Machiavelli underscores the necessity of a robust military to defend the state against
external threats and internal uprisings. While 'The Prince' may be perceived as cynical and amoral,
its context is crucial to understanding Machiavelli's perspective, as he wrote during a period of
intense political instability and uncertainty."
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The Prince of Machiavelli is more administrative than political Defend
Machiavelli's renowned work, "The Prince," is commonly viewed as a guide for acquiring and
maintaining political power, placing a significant emphasis on this aspect rather than purely
administrative concerns. Nevertheless, it's essential to recognize that the principles and tactics
outlined in "The Prince" do hold implications for the effective administration of a state or
principality. This treatise by Niccolò Machiavelli serves as a fundamental discourse on the
strategies involved in acquiring and retaining political authority. Its profound influence on the
realm of political philosophy is undeniable, captivating the attention of leaders and intellectuals
across centuries.
Yet, some scholars argue that "The Prince" possesses an administrative aspect alongside its
political nature. They highlight Machiavelli's practical advice to rulers, encompassing topics such
as military establishment and management, handling dissenting subjects, and judicious selection
of advisors. Additionally, Machiavelli delves into the significance of law, order, and the
establishment of stability and prosperity within a society.
In this light, "The Prince" can be perceived as a manual guiding effective governance. It equips
rulers with an array of tools and strategies tailored to help them achieve their objectives. While
Machiavelli openly discusses the harsh realities of wielding power, his ultimate objective remains
aiding rulers in the establishment of a resilient and prosperous state.
Acquisition and Maintenance of Power:
"The Prince" primarily delves into the acquisition and retention of political power, offering
guidance on strategies, tactics, and principles for rulers to establish and fortify their authority.
Although this focus is primarily political, it inevitably extends to impact administrative aspects of
governance.
Key points highlighted in "The Prince" include:
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Military Strength: Machiavelli stresses the importance of a ruler establishing a loyal
citizen army rather than relying on mercenaries or foreign forces. This force is crucial for
both defending the state against external threats and quelling internal uprisings.
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Law and Order: Emphasizing the role of law and order in fostering a stable and
prosperous society, Machiavelli advocates for the prince to wield their power to enforce
laws impartially. This approach cultivates an environment conducive to business growth
and where people feel secure.
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Selection of Advisors: Machiavelli recommends that a prince carefully choose astute and
reliable advisors. These advisors play a vital role in offering counsel across various
domains, including military strategies and economic policies.
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Establishing a Just Society: According to Machiavelli, a prince should utilize their power
to build a fair and just society. This involves treating all subjects equitably, irrespective of
their social standing or wealth. When subjects perceive fairness, they are more likely to
exhibit loyalty and support towards the ruler and their government.
Achieving Effective Governance: To sustain authority, a ruler must proficiently govern their
realm. Machiavelli stresses the significance of upholding order and stability, crucial components
of successful administration. Stability facilitates policy implementation and the smooth operation
of governmental bodies.
Key points highlighted in achieving effective governance:
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Perspective and Guidance: Machiavelli's insights are presented from the viewpoint of a
ruler, offering counsel on navigating various challenges such as dealing with dissenting
subjects, external adversaries, and internal corruption.
Administrative Emphasis: Although "The Prince" covers some political topics such as
government types and power acquisition, its primary focus lies on the administrative
dimensions of governance. Machiavelli equips the ruler with a toolkit of methods and
strategies to cultivate a robust and stable state.
Definition of Effective Governance: Effective governance entails adeptly steering a state
or organization towards its goals. It necessitates the ruler's capacity to make informed
decisions, allocate resources optimally, and effectively lead and organize individuals.
Decision-Making: Machiavelli advises rulers to prioritize decisions that serve their own best
interests, even if these decisions are viewed as ruthless or morally questionable. These choices
often have administrative implications, involving actions such as appointing or removing officials,
handling disputes, and managing resources.
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Administrative Efficiency: Machiavelli underscores a ruler's crucial ability to effectively
manage the state's resources, encompassing finances and military forces. Streamlining
administrative processes is vital for the efficient execution of political decisions.
Stability and Order: The book frequently emphasizes a ruler's role in establishing stability
and order within their state. Achieving this often necessitates administrative actions,
including establishing laws, administering justice, and maintaining infrastructure to ensure
the state functions smoothly.
Statecraft: "The Prince" dispenses advice on statecraft, encompassing both the political
and administrative facets of governance. For instance, it discusses the importance of
maintaining a well-organized army and efficiently administering conquered territories—
fundamentally administrative tasks.
Diplomacy and Alliances: The book delves into the complexities of diplomacy and
forging alliances, critical components of both politics and administration. Forming
alliances and managing diplomatic relationships require administrative skills like
negotiation, treaty drafting, and adhering to protocol.
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Public Opinion and Perception: Machiavelli underscores a ruler's image and reputation
among their subjects, highlighting the importance of public perception. Effectively
managing public opinion involves both administration, such as propaganda and public
relations, and political maneuvering.
Morality vs. Pragmatism: Machiavelli contends that a ruler should prioritize practicality and the
preservation of power over moral considerations. This pragmatic perspective can significantly
influence administrative choices, including tax policies, law enforcement strategies, and foreign
relations.
"The Prince" leans more towards pragmatism than moralism:
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Emphasis on Practicality: Machiavelli's work is often labeled as practical and realistic
rather than moralistic. He asserted that politics should be observed and practiced as they
are, not as they ought to be based on idealistic moral standards. His focus on
comprehending the harsh realities of power and politics embodies a pragmatic approach.
Ends Justify the Means: A central theme in "The Prince" is the notion that rulers should
be prepared to utilize any means necessary to achieve their objectives and uphold power.
This encompasses actions that might be seen as morally questionable, such as deception
and manipulation. Machiavelli argues that rulers should prioritize the ultimate outcome
(stability and power) over the morality of the methods employed to attain it.
Amoral Guidance: Machiavelli's advice is often characterized as amoral, not immoral. He
does not advocate for cruelty or injustice for their own sake but suggests that rulers should
be willing to employ such methods when essential for the preservation of their state. This
mirrors a pragmatic approach that does not impose a strict moral code on political decisionmaking.
Leadership and Governance Style: "The Prince" explores diverse leadership styles and desirable
qualities that prove effective for rulers. These attributes, such as decisiveness, adaptability, and the
capacity to instill loyalty, significantly influence a ruler's approach to governing their state. "The
Prince" primarily centers on leadership style and governance:
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Individual Leadership Traits: Machiavelli underscores the personal traits of a ruler,
emphasizing qualities like decisiveness, cunning, and adaptability. These attributes
epitomize leadership and shape a ruler's interactions with subjects and adversaries.
Utilization of Authority: A core theme in "The Prince" revolves around the application
of power. Machiavelli provides guidance to rulers on how to attain, sustain, and expand
their power, an essential aspect of political leadership. He delves into strategies involving
force, diplomacy, and alliances to achieve political objectives.
Political Tactics: Machiavelli imparts strategic counsel to rulers on adeptly navigating the
intricacies of politics and governance. This encompasses advice on handling relationships
with other states, managing internal dissent, and securing the allegiance of pivotal
supporters—all pivotal components of political leadership.
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The Role of Advisors: Machiavelli underscores the significance of competent advisors within a
ruler's close circle. The selection and oversight of advisors constitute an administrative function
that profoundly impacts the governance quality. In "The Prince," Machiavelli indeed recognizes
the vital role of advisors in governance, indicating an aspect leaning more towards administration
than purely politics. Here's a defense of the advisory role as a critical administrative element in the
book:
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Specialized Expertise: Machiavelli underscores the importance of advisors possessing
expertise in diverse domains like military tactics, diplomacy, and administration. These
advisors contribute specialized knowledge and perspectives that facilitate efficient state
administration.
Guidance on Policy Formulation: The book stresses the need for rulers to seek guidance
from experienced advisors when formulating crucial policies. This consultative approach
is a fundamental aspect of effective administration, fostering a range of perspectives and
expertise to inform decision-making.
The Cesare Borgia Example: Machiavelli draws upon the historical case of Cesare
Borgia, a ruler who surrounded himself with adept advisors and achieved notable political
success. Borgia's reliance on advisors highlights the administrative significance of building
a capable team.
Management of Advice: Effectively handling the advice provided by advisors, discerning
which recommendations to adopt, and communicating decisions to the broader
governmental structure are all administrative actions pivotal in governance.
Here are some specific examples of Machiavelli's administrative advice in The Prince:
Chapter 12: "The Military Strength of a Prince": In this chapter, Machiavelli underscores the
significance of a robust military force. He contends that a prince should avoid depending on
mercenaries or foreign troops and instead cultivate a loyal army of their own citizens.
Chapter 13: "Selecting Advisors Wisely": Machiavelli delves into the importance of choosing
prudent and reliable advisors in this chapter. He cautions rulers against surrounding themselves
with sycophants and encourages them to seek advisors who offer sincere and candid counsel.
Chapter 17: "Balancing Cruelty and Clemency": Machiavelli tackles the complex issue of
determining whether it is better to rule with cruelty or compassion in this chapter. He argues that
there's no straightforward answer, emphasizing that the approach should vary based on
circumstances. However, he warns against excessive cruelty, as it can provoke resentment and
rebellion among subjects.
Chapter 18: "The Responsibilities of a Prince towards Subjects": In this chapter, Machiavelli
discusses the duties that rulers owe to their subjects. He contends that princes are obligated to
ensure the safety and well-being of their subjects. He also stresses the importance of upholding
law and order and establishing a fair and just society.
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Overall, Machiavelli's counsel in "The Prince" prioritizes the practical aspects of governance over
theoretical principles of politics. He equips rulers with a toolkit of strategies and approaches to
attain and sustain power, leading to the establishment of a stable and prosperous society.
Additional arguments reinforcing the assertion that "The Prince" leans more towards
administration include:
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Machiavelli's concentration on the internal affairs of the state rather than its external
relationships.
Emphasis on the importance of law, order, and maintaining a robust military.
Guidance to rulers on selecting wise advisors, financial management, and handling
dissenting subjects.
While "The Prince" primarily serves as a political treatise focused on power acquisition and
maintenance, its principles profoundly affect the administrative aspects of governance. The
decisions and strategies advocated by Machiavelli shape a ruler's administration and influence its
efficacy. Hence, "The Prince" can be viewed as a work that straddles the boundaries of both politics
and administration. Despite some discussion of political topics, Machiavelli's primary emphasis is
on the practicalities of governance. Ultimately, determining whether "The Prince" is more
administrative than political hinges on interpretation, but a strong argument can be made for
Machiavelli's focus being predominantly on the practical facets of governance.
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