Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince and The Discourses Essays -- Machiave

Niccol Machiavelli thoroughly discusses the splendour of religion in the formation and maintenance of policy-making power in his famous works, The Prince and The Discourses. In his writing on religion, he assures that religion is benefactive role in the formation of political authority and political leaders essential support and endorse religion in order to maintain power. However, Machiavelli too critiques corrupt religious institutions that become involved in politics and in spell, cause corruption in the citizenry and divisions among the state. In the following essay, I lead examine Machiavellis analysis of religion and discuss the human relationship between religion and politics in Machiavellis thought.It is important to exhibit from the very beginning of the essay what Machiavellis politics be and how he arrives at his beliefs in order to understand his views on religion in politics. Machiavelli is a realist thinker whose main arguments be about maintaining politic al authority over a state by using historical evidence, particularly Roman, in order to support his theories. His main writings are an fiction of realpolitik, a government policy that emphasizes retaining power by using any(prenominal) means necessary including war and deceit. Niccol Machiavelli emphasized a political coalition based on interest, prudence, power, and expediency above all other considerations. (Kegley pp 36) Therefore, hotshot mustiness remember when reading Machiavelli that he is attempting to use religion as an instrument to maintain political power rather than a implement for achieving ideals.Machiavellis view on religion stems from his famous argument of whether it is bettor to be feared or loved as a leader of a state. Machiavelli feels that it is safer to be feared than loved, but a great leader would hope to be both even though it is rather difficult. His reasoning behind this is that he feels the nature of man is to be fickle and greedy and man will turn against the political leaders in difficult times in spite of his loyalty during prosperous times. Machiavelli writes, that prince who bases his power entirely on their words, finding himself simple(a) of other preparations, comes to ruin for friendships that are acquired by a price and non by greatness and nobility of character are purchased but are not owned, and at proper time cannot be spent. (The Prince Chapte... ... control religion. trance the government must stay secular without the influence of religious organizations, it must appear to be quite the opposite in the view of the citizenry. spiritual organizations must be used to keep the peck pious in order to instill the fear of God rather then a fear of the state for the leader to avoid being despised, in turn causing him to be both feared and loved. Unusual laws and organizations are introduced easier into the city when they are based on religion and morals and often times but divine authority would instill the m. Religious institutions must be unploughed from getting too large and must be kept from gaining political power or else they will turn corrupt and cause divisions among the people as in the case of the Roman Catholic Church in Italy since religious organizations are neither powerful enough to defend the state nor are they willing to submit their power to those who can. Works CitedKegley, Charles W., and Eugene R. Wittkopf. World politics Trend and Transformation. Belmont Wadsworth, 2006.Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince and The Discourses McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages 1 edition (August 1, 1950)