Thesis: The Concept Of Power And Authority In Niccolo Machiavelli: An Analysis
Chapter One
General Introduction
Background Of The Study
Without being dependent on each other or any other in perspective, power and authority are independently able of provoking a thesis of some kind. This must be the reason some folks have aimlessly set up discomforting. The veritably idea of conducting a marriage form between them – power and authority, that is.
Anyway, power can be defined as “ capability to do commodity ” 1, while authority can be defined as “ the power or right to command ”.2 It’s important to be clear about the distinction between these two, since they’re frequently confused in language, as well as in study. We speak of a enactment giving a minister “ power ” to do this or that, when we mean giving him authority. also, we speak of going beyond one’s legal powers ’ or acting “ ultra vires ”, where again the word ‘ authority ’ would express our meaning more easily.
The tautness of operation appears right at the morning of the theoretical discussion o sovereignty, in the work of Jean Bodin in the 16th century. Bodin writes ‘ Sovereignty is the absolute and perpetual power( force) of a state that’s to say, the supreme powers to command. It’s then necessary to formulate the definitionof sovereignty, because there’s no just or political champion who has defined it, although it’s the top point and the most necessary to be understood in the treatment of the state ’.
He goes on to speak further of ‘ puissance souveraine ’ and ‘ pussance absolue ’, and so gives the print that sovereignty is a mammy of power in the ordinary sense of the word. Now, anybody has the power or capability to issue a command, but not everyone is authorized or entitled to do so in particular circumstances, and not everyone is either suitable or entitled to have his commands carried out.
Does Bodin mean by ‘ absolute power ’ the capability to issue effective commands, i.e. the capability to have one’s command carried out? This would be power, duly speaking. Or does he mean the annuity or right to issue commands and to have them adhered ? This could be authority. A reading of his whole account of sovereignty makes it clear that ‘ he means the alternate, but his use of the expression ‘ absolute power ’ suggests the first.3
Machiavelli saw stable political authority and order as necessary for social cohesion and moral rejuvenescence. It was for this reason that he stressed the need for a unified polity and a democratic and free government committed to the liberty of its people. His new way of looking at political geste was significantly told by Leonardo, a particular friend with whose jottings he was familiar. Apropos, Leonardo was an mastermind of Borgia, the idol of the Napoleon.
Machiavelli understood the realities of politics, “ its hist for power, its admiration of success, its carefreeness of means, its rejection of medieval bonds, its foursquare pragmatism, its conviction that public concinnity makes for public strength. Neither his cynicism nor his praise of cunningness is sufficient to conceal the romanticist in him ”. He cherished Democratic Liberty, but was apprehensive of the troubles despotism posed, amidst chaos to free institutions.
While in the Prince, Machievelli stressed the significance of the security and concinnity of the state as the primary enterprises of a sovereign , in the dialogues , the theme was liberty and republicanism.4 The Prince maintains a pride of place throughout this entire thesis.
Statement Of The Problem
A problem can be defined as “ a proposition stating commodity to be done ”.5 The thing to be done then’s an analysis of power and authority independently, both without and within the confines of Machiavelli. But again, why the resoluteness to fuse power with authority? I admire this philosophical question, and dare say it I only a prestigious matter in hand. Yes, since to dissect is “ to separate( commodity) into its constituent corridor to probe its structure and functions, etc ”.6 emulsion( which later each establishes concinnity), is thus a condition- sine- qua- non, if the separation forenamed must retain its applicability in analysis.
So what is are the structure and functions of power and authority independently? Is any superior to, or more applicable than the other? If yes, also which? In short, to what extent can/ should one be dependent on or independent of the other? Are power and authority one and the same? If not, how and to what extent do they differ? Who or what can exercise power and/ or authority, and what are their limits? Why power? Why authority? Truth is, the questions in this regard are quire multitudinous. still, during the progression of this thesis, conscious attempts at dropping out as numerous of them as possible and utmost necessary, will be properly allocate out.
Purpose Of The Study
I stated before that power and authority re frequently confused at different times and in different felicitations. This is strikingly the same manner in which Machiavelli’s generality of them is also frequently confused. This observation constitutes a major reason why in this thesis, I intend to establish the most attainable clarity concerning the nature and/ or extent of power and authority as individual realities in the first case, secondly, as fused, thirdly as determined by Niccolo Machiavelli, and eventually, hopefully as less-complicated generalities introduced a fresh, for the benefit of all interested.
Significance Of The Study
occasionally we substantiation, read, or hear about events as they do in governance and relatively unexpectedly, only those exposed to at least introductory political understanding, especially from a philosophical viewpoint, can successfully grasp the reality( ies) of similar circumstances, without inescapably falling prey to the soliciting hands of disguise.
Power and authority may not be each there’s to the political governance within which we now play. still, one may not succeed in an attempt to deny the fact that at the veritably citation of government, these gallants reflexively enthrall maturity space.
therefore, I intend to reiterate and hopefully reveal some redundant about them( that is, power and authority) than is formerly tone-apparent, an achievement which I believe will constitute a model process through which commerce with indeed the most guised political deals, can be attained.
Compass Of The Study
In my veritably- important- talked- about analysis of power and authority, as much as I’m apprehensive that Machiavelli is the crucial personality then, I may still have to inescapably veer out course aimlessly, especially when at the tope of its voice, the need to buttress a point quietly demands similar veering.
Specifically however, Machiavelli’s popularly known composition “ The Prince ”, will be anatomized under chapter three( 3) of this thesis. What Machiavelli produces in The Prince is a set of conventions for the successful operation of a state through the procurement of power? Therein, he also used the term authority to aimlessly express meaning and when we get to that realm, we ought seek to ascertain whether or not to him, power and authority are one and the same.
Methodology Of The Study
We formerly know how that analysis involves separating commodity into its constituent corridor in order to probe its structure and function( s). With this tool thus, I intend to mantle the pending chapters of this thesis from a literal- logical viewpoint, engaging in thorough exploration.
Applicable benefactions from available sources; including factual, written, oral, etc, will be precipitously introduced, while appraisal, disconfirmation, notice,etc. will come snappily to play, as and when due.
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