Politics Machiavelli and Hobbes Thomas Term Paper

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" (Prince: 61)

The second important thing to focus on is the military strength of that person. Does the ruler possess greater military might than the displaced ruler? If yes, then there is no point in rejecting him as the new ruler. This is because with his military weapons, he is likely to prove valuable to the country in the long run. Michaela's views on the art of war and possession of arms make it clear that a well-armed ruler deserves our respect because he can be relied on in difficult times

Liberty is an important concept in this connection. Liberty is the collection of various rights, which must be safeguarded at all costs, or else the public will reject the new ruler. It is thus important to remember that even when the people of a country give up their freedom because of fear of the new ruler, the ruler himself is required to safeguard the rights of his new subjects. This is the only way he can stay in power for a long time without arousing internal conflicts. Hobbes presents his views in this connection, "The Greatest of humane Powers, is that which is compounded of the Powers of most men, united by consent, in one person, Naturall, or Civill, that has the use of all their Powers depending on his will; such as is the Power of a Commonwealth: Or depending on the wills of each particular; such as is the Power of a Faction, or of divers factions leagued.

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Therefore to have servants, is Power; to have friends, is Power: for they are strengths united." (Leviathan: p. 54) This is what Hobbes believed were some of the attributes that a ruler should possess.

Their views on the subject of relationship between citizens and state are also clear from what they said in connection with rights and ruler's attributes. Hobbes believed that ruler must be treated as the sole sovereign power of the land. He must be assigned all the important duties and citizens must be his followers. Machiavelli was clearer on the subject and felt that citizens must accept the ruler if he is strong and fair and protects their rights. Machiavelli also maintained that the ruler must be clear about his antagonism and his affiliations. "A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy; that is, when he declares himself on the side of one prince against another without any reservation. Such a policy will always be more useful than that of neutrality..." (p.74)

Thomas Hobbes and Machiavelli both believed in excessive powers of the ruler. They maintained that a strong government should only be established if the ruler was strong and the public accepted his government......

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