Machiavelli
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Many leaders from the past have used the writings of Niccol Machiavelli as a basis for the foundation of their governing system. The most widely used literature published by Machiavelli is The Prince, a treatise quite contradictory to humanist beliefs. The Prince portrays and explains the qualities that rulers should possess in order to succeed in properly regulating and upholding their power. Machiavelli's main philosophy was "the end justifies the means." He strongly promoted a governing power that overstepped the bounds of morality in order to achieve its ultimate goal of maintaining a secure leadership. In fact, Machiavelli felt that morality is merely an unnecessary hurdle that rulers must overstep to achieve their supreme aspiration of successful longevity and power.
Machiavelli writes, "for a man who wishes to make a vocation of being good at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good. Hence it is necessary for a prince who wishes to maintain his position to learn how not to be good" (40). If a prince cannot be both feared and loved at the same time, Machiavelli suggests that it would be better to assume the role of one who is feared. Although it is desired to be both, Machiavelli tells us that "it is much safer to be feared that to be loved when one of the two is lacking" (44)...