Machiavelli versus Machiavelianism : Psychology, Ethics, Politics
Machiavelli versus Machiavelianism : Psychology, Ethics, Politics

Summary/Abstract: The article describes the main aspects of the great thinker of the Renaissance, Nicolo Machiavelli, who approached the role played by the personality of the governor. Starting from the realities of his time in feudal Italy with a fragmented territory, he considers that it is better to have a powerful prince in a unified sovereign country, even if he has no remorse than some competing rival rulers. From a historical perspective, Machiavelli is shown as a cynical refined man, who considers the basis of the political conduct to be the advantage (interest) and force, and that in politics one should rely on force not on morality, which can be ignored when aiming at a noble goal. However, it is to be mentioned that Machiavelli was not the first to speak about the fact that social contradictions represent one of the basic elements of society life. Before him, Plato and Aristotle dealt with this, but Machiavelli was the first after the thinkers of Antiquity who tried to establish a connection between the processes taking place in society and those of the political system.

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