UNF Online Paper Assignment: Kingship Paper (20 pts.)
WOH I Matthews
DUE: Week 15 (see schedule and Learning Module for specific date) submit an electronic copy of Blackboard via “Safe Assign.”
This writing assignment will require you to think critically by evaluating a primary source in order to answer a question about a historical development.
You are to write a minimum 5 full pages, typed, and double-spaced essay in response to the assignment below. You MUST use standard one-inch margins and a 12-point font in your paper as well. Do not use contractions in your papers!! (don’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, etc.) See the grading rubric posted on Blackboard- this is how your paper will be evaluated. The only valid sources for this assignment are the The Prince, Epic of Gilgamesh, Antigone, Arthashastra (excerpts), and Analects of Confucious (excerpts) and your textbook. Cliff’s Notes, Spark Notes, or any other kind of explanatory notes, and other kinds of outside sources are NOT to be used as they are often inaccurate and will not help you, but hurt you. DO NOT USE THEM!!!
Machiavelli’s The Prince remains one of the most influential writings in political philosophy. Machiavelli was one of the first political theorists that wrote about politics as they were rather than writing about the “unachievable ideal.” He wrote about “real politik,” or the politics of reality.
Part 1: In a well thought out and well written paper take a position and answer the question what does it mean to be “Machiavellian?” Is that necessarily a negative title given to someone, or not? Explain. (This should be your thesis statement/opening paragraph.) The rest of Part 1 of your paper should answer the following questions in relation to supporting your thesis referring to the book as much as possible for support (including quotes to back up your points):
• What were the goals of Machiavelli in writing this particular document? Discuss his personal ambitions as well as his desires for Italy as a whole. What role did Machiavelli think the military should play in society and what kind of military did he advocate and why?
• Who was Caesare Borgia and why was he such a dominant example that Machiavelli held up for admiration as a strong prince? (Be specific in your discussion of what M. admired about Borgia.)
• Lastly, discuss how important reputation should be to a prince according to Machiavelli. What roles should virtue, strength, and saavy, fear and love play in a ruler’s reputation? Explain with examples from the book. What did Machiavelli mean when he stated the idea that “the end justifies the means?”
Part 2: Compare Machiavelli’s brand of prince and power to examples of power we have read about in each of the following readings individually:
Epic of Gilgamesh, Antigone, Arthashastra, and Analects of Confucius.
Consider the following:
How did the basis of power evolve through the ages when looking at the readings we have covered? What is the basis of power according to Machiavelli for Renaissance kings and how do they compare to the ideas shown in our other readings about kings and their power bases? (Compare Machiavellis’s “prince” to each of the other kings/rulers in the readings for full credit.) Refer to your readings for examples and supporting evidence.
Conclusion: Do you feel that politicians today are basically followers of a great deal of Machiavelli’s advice, or do you think they avoid him like the plague? Explain your reasons.
