According to Niccolò Machiavelli, political power is fundamentally about the ability to maintain control over a state and ensure stability, often through pragmatic and sometimes ruthless means. In his seminal work, "The Prince," Machiavelli emphasizes that the ends often justify the means in politics and that a successful ruler must be willing to use manipulation, fear, and, if necessary, cruelty to achieve and retain authority.
Machiavelli distinguishes between virtue (virtù), which refers to a ruler's qualities such as wisdom, strength, and decisiveness, and fortune (fortuna), which encompasses luck and the unpredictable nature of events. He asserts that while fortune plays a role in human affairs, a skilled ruler can navigate and harness fortune through preparation and decisive action.
Political power, for Machiavelli, is also closely linked to the relationship between a ruler and the governed. A ruler must be adept at understanding public perception and managing the loyalty of subjects. He posits that it is better for a prince to be feared than loved if he cannot be both, as fear can ensure obedience and stability.
Overall, Machiavelli's view of political power is pragmatic, focusing on the realpolitik approach that prioritizes effectiveness and survival in governance over idealistic notions of morality.
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