What a ruler should know about power according to ancient Egyptian thinkers and Niccolò Machiavelli Cover Image

Co władca powinien wiedzieć o władaniu – według egipskich mędrców i Niccolò Machiavellego
What a ruler should know about power according to ancient Egyptian thinkers and Niccolò Machiavelli

Author(s): Paweł Karpiński
Subject(s): Politics, Political Theory
Published by: Instytut Studiów Politycznych PAN
Keywords: The Teachings of King Mericare; The Maxims of Ptahhotep; Niccolò Machiavelli; The Prince; the ruler; the state; politics

Summary/Abstract: The paper studies the thought of Ancient Egypt in the context of Niccolò Machiavelli’s work entitled The Prince, which has not yet been examined in the context of political philosophy. The author outlines many similarities between the texts and their authors’ honest and substantive approach to the subject discussed. It seems that through the realistic presentation of selected aspects of power, these works are practical guides for the authorities rather than only postulates regarding the functioning of the state and the ruler. At the same time, the author of the article seeks to stress the value of these works which express the political thought of their time and contain some universal observations.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 21
  • Page Range: 319-341
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: Polish
Toggle Accessibility Mode