The fact Machiaveli has taken the time to write this book leads me to believe that Italy was in desperate times. ... Then again, he wrote hi book in a time where people had less options than what exist today. ... An aphorism is a saying that makes the person try to sound wise and sound like the saying is accepted. ... Infact, he finds his opinions so factual that he neglects to establish himself as an authority before proceeding into the book. ... Firstly, it is mandatory to take a look at the political atmosphere in which Machiavelli wrote this book. ...

• Word Count: 2654
• Approx Pages: 11

In the state of nature, says Rousseau, "man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains" (Book I: I 169). ... Book I of Rousseau's The Social Contract stresses that this contract will sustain liberty and/or freedom more efficiently than the state of nature, thus, paving the way for lawful and sound political power. ... "Might does not create right," explains Rousseau (Book I: III 173). ... In Book II, Rousseau will first explain the inalienable status of the sovereign, the body of people that are "the true foundation on which all Societies rest" and then the laws that help to maintain th...

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

In the state of nature, says Rousseau, "man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains" (Book I: I 169). ... Book I of Rousseau's The Social Contract stresses that this contract will sustain liberty and/or freedom more efficiently than the state of nature, thus, paving the way for lawful and sound political power. ... "Might does not create right," explains Rousseau (Book I: III 173). ... In Book II, Rousseau will first explain the inalienable status of the sovereign, the body of people that are "the true foundation on which all Societies rest" and then the laws that help to maintain th...

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

While some have considered this book to be a bible for tyrants and condemn Machiavelli as a preacher of political immorality, the message that he was clearly trying to present was that the historically held beliefs that noble traits such as honesty and godly virtues that a ruler should possess would eventually lead to his destruction if and when the citizens choose to exploit his weakness. ... Regardless of the reasons the book was written, it is remarkable that so many of the observations and suggestions contained within the publication can be seen five centuries later. ...

• Word Count: 3155
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate