or carries out this investigation using two parameters in particular, the Italian virtu and fortuna. They can be translated in many ways (Robert M. ... Politics here reign supreme; while he does acknowledge that there are ideals in the world, he asserts that it is futile to discuss them because in real-world situations they are never applied. ... To Machiavelli, fortuna always exists in our lives as a constant yet changing force. ... (The first holds the actual character, personality, beliefs of the prince;! ...

• Word Count: 1699
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Corruption can take many forms and shapes, not acting would then be not to do anything, thus a flaw. ... Arendt also stresses the fact that action is the beginning step since it is the actualization of freedom, it carries with it the capacity to do so much good, to introduce what is totally unexpected. ... This character of startling unexpectedness is inherent in all beginnings. ... And this again is possible only because each man is unique, so that with each birth something uniquely new comes into the world" (p.177).The reality is that humans will do many things that can't be predi...

• Word Count: 1446
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"Machiavelli says that rulers should be truthful, keep promises, and the like when doing so will not harm the state, and that they conquer and preserve the state, he should not shrink from wrongdoing when the preservation of the state requires this. ... The conclusion therefore is that Machiavelli's virtu is not of moral character, but of what is best or the utilitarian needs of the State. ... Machiavelli was a realist; he was concerned with how things were in reality, not how things could be if the world was perfect. "Machiavelli critically analyzes the crucial characteristics of succ...

• Word Count: 4508
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Rousseau says that lawful political power does not exist in nature. ... "Might does not create right," explains Rousseau (Book I: III 173). If might produces right, then the people obey their rulers because they are forced to do so, not because they ought to. ... All governments are really mixed in character; and what we call a democracy is only a more or less democratic government. ... The government's role is merely to carry out the decrees, or acts of will, of the Sovereign people. ...

• Word Count: 7115
• Approx Pages: 28
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Rousseau says that lawful political power does not exist in nature. ... "Might does not create right," explains Rousseau (Book I: III 173). If might produces right, then the people obey their rulers because they are forced to do so, not because they ought to. ... All governments are really mixed in character; and what we call a democracy is only a more or less democratic government. ... The government's role is merely to carry out the decrees, or acts of will, of the Sovereign people. ...

• Word Count: 7114
• Approx Pages: 28
• Grade Level: Undergraduate