The Concept Of Power And Authority In Niccolo Machiavelli: An Analysis

The study analyzed the concept of power and authority in Niccolo Machiavelli.  The Machiavellian context of power and authority has gained increased attention to the contemporary world due to his methods and ways that a Prince or Leader can go just to keep his/her power. His views in the prince are perceived as the violation of moral norms. The world presently is confronted with serious issues of leadership and authority and as to which ideas a leader can use in maintaining his or her power. 

Through a critical analysis of the contending ethical issues in Machiavelli's notion of politics in The Prince, this study, faults Machiavelli's excessive recommendation of the use of non-moral means as apparatus of political expediency since it promotes power drive in human beings. On findings is that we can vindicate Machiavelli's predilection for overwelmingsuccess in political governance on the ground that since the state primarily exists for the common purpose of securing human life and property, preserving the state according to situational needs is of superior obligation to any other. 

In an attempt to rectify moral problems associated with political governance in general, this study  recommends that it is necessary to legislate properly and to restructure the existing political institutions with commonly shared ethical values of compassion and justice when necessary.