Machiavelli
Approach |
Realist |
Neglecting to consider what is done because one is concentrating on what ought to be done is more likely to lead to ruin than to preservation |
Form of Government |
Principality |
Other than these advisors, the prince should listen to no one; rather, he should pursue what he resolves on doing |
Type of Ruler |
Prince |
Character |
Any Necessary |
It is necessary for a prince to understand how to avail himself of the beast and the man |
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Appearances Matter |
It is necessary for him to be prudent enough to know how to avoid scandal because of vices which would result in his losing his state |
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It is not necessary for a prince to have all the good qualities... but it is necessary for him to appear to have them |
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Virtue is Limiting |
A man who wishes to act on the basis of morality will soon meet destruction among those with no such scruples |
Education |
Pursuits of War |
A prince ought to have no other aim or thought than war and its organization and discipline. Nor should he study anything else; for this is the sole art that pertains to a ruler |
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Geography |
First, he comes to know his country, and is better able to defend it. Second, by means of the knowledge and observation of his own local area, it will be easy for him to understand any other area |
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History |
The prince should read histories, and study there the actions of illustrious men, to see how they have borne themselves in war |
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Combat |
Experience has shown that only princes and armed republics make great progress |
Motivation |
Power |
It is much safer to be feared than to be loved |
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Glory |
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Expansion |
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Conquer |
Actions |
Any Necessary |
Cruel measures are properly used - if one might speak well of evil - when they are applied a single time, are necessary to one’s security, and are not persisted in afterwards unless they can be turned to the advantage of the subjects |
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Results Matter |
Nothing makes a prince most esteemed than great undertakings which demonstrate how extraordinary he is |
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Plato
Approach |
Idealist |
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Utopian |
Form of Government |
Aristocracy |
Rulers must be the best among the guardians |
Type of Ruler |
Philosopher Kings |
Cities will have no respite from evil... unless philosophers rule as kings in the cities... that is, political power and philosophy coalesce |
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Compelled to Rule |
If they are to be willing to rule, some compulsion or punishment must be brought to bear on them |
Character |
Physically Fit |
Swift... and also strong if it is necessary to catch up with the enemy and fight |
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High-Spirited |
A high spirit is invincible and unbeatable |
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Gentle |
Gentle to their own people, but hard for the enemy to deal with |
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Lover of Wisdom |
Like a pedigree dog; he judges anything he sees as being friendly or hostile by no other criterion than that he knows the former and does not know the latter |
Education |
Physical Training |
Physical training for the body |
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Non-Physical Training |
Training in the arts for the soul |
Motivation |
Subjects' Best Interests |
Every kind of rule, as far as it truly rules, does not seek what is best for anything else than the subject of its rule and care |
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Justice |
Injustice, wherever it occurs, be it in a city, a family, an army, or anything else results in making it incapable of achieving anything as a unit because of the dissensions and differences it creates, and further, it makes that unit hostile to itself, to its every enemy, and to the just |
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Happiness |
We are not aiming to make any one group outstandingly happy, but to make the whole city so, as far as possible |
Actions |
Justice |
It is never just to harm anyone because men who are harmed become worse |
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Expansion |
We must then again enlarge our city... The land which was adequate to feed the earlier population will become small and inadequate instead... We must therefore annex a portion of our neighbours' land |
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War |
The task of the guardian is most important, so he should have the most freedom from all other pursuits, for he requires technical knowledge and the greatest diligence |
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Criticism
Principality |
Tyranny |
Education on War |
Insufficiently Educated |
War is the Ruler's Art |
Justice is the Ruler's Art |
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War is the Craft of Soldiers |
Virtue is Useless |
Virtue is Essential |
Power is Valuable |
Power Should Not Be Sought |
Injustice is Sometimes Necessary |
Justice is Always Most Profitable |
War is Necessary for Growth |
War is a Result of Greed |
Growth is Power |
Unity is Power |
Appearances are Most Important |
Rulers Cannot Simply Appear to Rule |
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