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

1.1 Background to the Study 

Without being dependent on each other or any other in perspective, power and authority are respectively capable of provoking a thesis of some sort. This must be the reason some folks have randomly found discomforting. The very idea of conducting a marriage ceremony between them, – power and authority, that is. Power is defined as “ability of individuals or groups to get what they want despite the opposition”. Power is derived from a variety of sources including knowledge, experience and environmental uncertainties (Denhardt et al, 2001:19). It is also important to recognize that power is specific to each situation. Individuals or groups that may be entirely powerful in one situation may find themselves with little or no power in another. The manager of Super Fine Pty Ltd, who is my Dad, is a perfect example. In running the company, he can exercise the managerial power to run the company. Power is difficult to measure and even to recognize, yet it plays a major role in explaining authority. In organizations, power is most likely exercised in situations where “the stakes are high, resources are limited, and goals and processes are unclear” (Denhardt et al, 2001:19).  

“Authority is defined as the power or right to give orders, instructions or directions, make decisions, and enforce obedience” (Max Weber 1922:34). It is important to be clear about the distinction between these two, since they are often confused in language, as well as in thought. We speak of a statute giving a minister “power” to do this or that, when we mean giving him authority. Similarly, we speak of going beyond one’s legal powers’ or acting “ultra vires”, where again the word ‘authority’ would express our meaning more clearly. (Max Weber 1922:34)

The looseness of usage appears right at the beginning of the theoretical discussion of sovereignty, in the work of Jean Bodin in the 16th century. Bodin writes: ‘Sovereignty is the absolute and perpetual power (puissance) of a state… that is to say, the supreme powers to command. It is here necessary to formulate the definition of sovereignty, because there is no just or political philosopher who has defined it, although it is the principal feature and the most necessary to be understood in the treatment of the state’, (Bodin, 2001:140).

He goes on to speak further of ‘puissance souveraine’ and ‘pussanceabsolue’, and so gives the impression that sovereignty is a matter of power in the ordinary sense of the word. Now, anybody has the power or ability to issue a command, but not everyone is authorized or entitled to do so in particular circumstances, and not everyone is either able or entitled to have his commands carried out. (Bodin, 2001:140)

What does Bodin mean by ‘absolute power’ the ability to issue effective commands, i.e. the ability to have one’s command carried out? This would be power, properly speaking. Or does he mean the entitlement or right to issue commands and to have them obeyed? This could be authority. A reading of his whole account of sovereignty makes it clear that ‘he means the second, but his use of the expression ‘absolute power’ suggests the first. ‘(Bodin, 2001:140)

Machiavelli saw stable political authority and order as necessary for social cohesion and moral regeneration. It was for this reason that he stressed the need for a unified polity and a republican and free government committed to the liberty of its people. His new way of looking at political behaviour was significantly influenced by Leonardo, a personal friend with whose writings he was familiar. Incidentally, Leonardo was an architect of Borgia, the hero of the prince (Machiavelli, 1992:91). 

Machiavelli understood the realities of politics, “its for power, its admiration of success, its carefreeness of means, its rejection of medieval bonds, its frank pragmatism, its conviction that national unity makes for national strength. Neither his cynicism nor his praise of craftiness is sufficient to conceal the idealist in him”. He cherished Republican Liberty, but was aware of the dangers tyranny posed, amidst chaos to free institutions. (Machiavelli, 2006:30).

While in the Prince, Machiavelli highlighted the importance of the security and unity of the state as the primary concerns of a ruler, in the discourses, the theme was liberty and republicanism. The Prince maintains a pride of place throughout this entire thesis. (Machiavelli, 1952:98)

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The Machiavellian context of power and authority has gained increased attention to the contemporary world due to his methods and ways 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. This study seeks to analyse the use of power and authority as used by Niccolo Machiavelli in the Prince.

1.3 Aims and Objective of the Study 

The aim and objective of this study is to;

i. To examine the idea of power and authority 

ii. To understand Machiavelli’s thought on power and authority.

iii. To identify and discuss some core values for a balanced used for power

1.4 Significance of the Study

Sometimes we witness, read, or hear about events as they occur in governance and quite expectedly, only those exposed to at least basic political understanding, especially from a philosophical standpoint, can successfully grasp the reality(ies) of such occurrences, without necessarily falling prey to the luring hands of disguise. Power and authority may not be all there is to the political jurisdiction within which we now play. However, one may not succeed in an attempt to deny the fact that at the very mention of government, these dudes reflexively occupy majority space. Thus, to reiterate and hopefully reveal some extra about them (that is, power and authority) than is already self-evident, an achievement which is believed will constitute a model process through which interaction with even the most guised political transactions, can be attained. 

1.5 Justification of the Study

This research is justified because it is aimed at discoursing the concept of power and authority in Niccolo Machiavelli giving reference to the “Prince” it will discourse in details the what power is to Niccolo Machiavelli, and provide logical reasoning to his ideas of power and authority.  

1.6 Methodology of the Study 

The method adopted in this work is basically textual analysis. This involves the critical appraisal, examination, evaluation and analysis of work by other scholars and authors on the subject matter of our discourse.  

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is very wide but limited focus primarily on the concept of power and authority in Niccolo Machiavelli which is an analysis. However effort will be made to access the Machiavellian concept of power and authority with critical analysis 

1.8 Organization of the Study

This work is divided into five chapters, chapter one deal with the introduction and the methodological consideration which comprises the background of the study, statement of the problems, objectives of the study, significance of the study, justification of the study, scope of the study, method of the study, organization of the study and definition of relevant terms. Chapter two critically reviewed the selected text books, journals and articles. Chapter three is titled power and authority in Niccolo Machiavelli and sub-themes like power, authority, relationship between power and authority, concept of power and authority. Chapter four titled, reaction/alienation to Machiavelli on power and authority with sub-themes like Plato, Hobbes, Locke and decision making and power. Chapter five is the summary conclusion and recommendation 

1.9 Definition of Terms

Power: Power is the ability to influence others to believe, behave or to value as those in power desire them to or to strengthen, validate, or confirm present beliefs, behaviours, or values. Power is the social force that allows select persons to mobilize others; to organize others to act in concert; and to melt away resistance to leaders’ authority (Ken, 1998:3)

Authority: According to Simon Authority may be defined as “the power to make decision which guide the action of another. To Henry Fayol authority is “the right to give orders and the power to exact obedience (Henry, 2012:10).

Politics: Politics refers to a set of activities associated with the governance of a country, or an area. It involves making decisions that apply to members of a group. (Martin, 2016:14)

Legitimacy: Legitimacy lies at the heart of all political discourse and determines much political competition in both developed and less developed societies. Legitimacy is about social, economic and political rights, and it is what transforms coercive capacity and personal influence into durable political authority.  

Sovereignty: Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies. In political theory, sovereignty is a substantive term designating supreme authority over some polity. (Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2003).

In the next chapter, we look at the literature review.