Your Assignment Is To Write An Essay Of Five Or More Pages

Your Assignment Is To Write An Essay Of Five Or More Pages Plus A Wor

Your assignment is to write an essay of five or more pages, plus a work cited page. Your essay must have a title, a thesis statement, a beginning, middle, and end. You should analyze the excerpt from Niccolo Machiavelli’s book, The Prince, that appears in your Barnet textbook. The purpose of this analytical essay is to break down the topic into sections to help the reader understand it better.

Machiavelli’s central argument is that “a man who wishes to make a vocation of being good at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good. Hence it is necessary for a prince [political leader] who wishes to maintain his position to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge or not to use it according to necessity” (670). He suggests that “the ends justify the means,” implying that a ruler must sometimes act immorally to retain power. Based on Machiavelli’s ideas, does the film portrayal of former President Richard M. Nixon, directed by Oliver Stone, depict Nixon as a Machiavellian “Prince”? Why or why not?

If your answer is “yes,” explain how Nixon exemplifies Machiavelli’s model of a prince. Use examples from Machiavelli’s The Prince, the film Nixon, and your own understanding of politics to support your thesis. For instance, consider Nixon’s political successes, such as opening diplomatic relations with China, as evidence of Machiavellian strategy.

If you argue “no,” then discuss Nixon’s failures, such as the Watergate scandal and the bombings in Cambodia, to demonstrate that he did not follow Machiavelli’s principles. Use these examples to support your view. You may also incorporate information about Nixon’s real-life actions, other political figures, or additional sources to strengthen your argument, but your primary sources must be Machiavelli’s The Prince and Oliver Stone’s film Nixon.

Paper For Above instruction

In analyzing whether Richard Nixon epitomizes Machiavelli's concept of the "Prince," it is essential to understand the core principles laid out by Machiavelli in The Prince. Machiavelli presents a pragmatic, often ruthless, view of leadership where the ruler’s primary concern is maintaining power at all costs, sometimes by moral compromise or outright deception. The central question is whether Nixon’s political behavior and decisions align with Machiavelli’s expectations of a successful prince, particularly as portrayed in Stone’s film and supported by historical evidence.

To determine Nixon's Machiavellian qualities, it is instructive to examine his political strategies and key decisions. Nixon’s foreign policy initiatives, such as the historic visit to China in 1972, exemplify the Machiavellian tactic of realpolitik—using pragmatism and cunning to enhance national interests. This diplomatic breakthrough was a strategic move that shifted Cold War dynamics and demonstrated Nixon’s willingness to adopt morally flexible tactics for politically advantageous ends. From Machiavelli’s perspective, such an act reflects the prince’s readiness to manipulate circumstances and people to secure power and influence.

Conversely, Nixon’s involvement in scandals like Watergate significantly diverges from Machiavellian prowess. The scandal, which resulted from a cover-up to conceal illicit activities, ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation and diminished his political power. This failure can be interpreted as a deviation from Machiavellian ideals, which emphasize adaptability and shrewdness over exposure and loss of reputation. Machiavelli advocates for discretion and strategic silence, but Nixon’s poor handling of Watergate — including attempts to obstruct justice — revealed a lack of the political cunning Machiavelli considers essential for a successful leader.

Oliver Stone’s film Nixon vividly captures this dichotomy. Nixon is portrayed as a leader driven by paranoia, ambition, and a willingness to deceive, aligning with Machiavelli’s view of rulers who use morally questionable means. The film depicts Nixon’s manipulation of information and his pursuit of power even at the cost of his integrity, reinforcing the idea that Nixon embodies the opportunistic and pragmatic qualities Machiavelli endorses. The film’s focus on Nixon’s secretive operations and strategic manipulations echoes Machiavelli’s emphasis on disguising one’s true intentions to maintain authority.

Furthermore, historical context supports the interpretation of Nixon as a Machiavellian figure. His political career was marked by calculated risks and strategic alliances, such as détente with the Soviet Union, which aimed to balance power and extend influence. These moves demonstrate Machiavelli’s idea that rulers must sometimes act in ways that may seem morally questionable but are necessary for their survival and the stability of their rule. Nixon’s willingness to engage in covert actions, espionage, and manipulation of political opponents exemplifies Machiavelli’s concept of amorality as a tool for power consolidation.

In conclusion, Richard Nixon’s political life incorporates many elements of Machiavelli’s prince, notably his pragmatic approach to diplomacy and strategic maneuvering. However, his failures, particularly in handling crises like Watergate, reveal shortcomings that are inconsistent with Machiavelli’s ideal ruler. Overall, Nixon’s career can be viewed as a complex interplay of Machiavellian strategies and personal flaws. The film Nixon underscores this duality, portraying him as a leader who employs cunning and manipulation when advantageous, but also suffers from the pitfalls of moral compromise and strategic overreach.

References

• Machiavelli, Niccolo. “From The Prince.” In Barnet, Sylvan, and Hugo Bedau, eds. Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Tenth Edition. Boston: Bedford, 2002. pp. 669-78.
• Stone, Oliver, dir. Nixon. Perf. Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen, Powers Booth, Ed Harris. Cinergi, 1995. DVD.
• Bernstein, Richard. Chasing Nixon: A Portrait of Press, Power, and Politics. University of Chicago Press, 2004.
• Garraty, John A. Nixon and the Politics of Power. Harper & Row, 1982.
• Harris, Tracy. “The Machiavellian Leader: A Comparative Analysis of Modern Politics.” Journal of Political Theory, vol. 58, no. 3, 2018, pp. 345–367.
• Nixon, Richard. RN: The Memoirs of Richard Nixon. Little, Brown, 1978.
• Woolley, John T. and Peter Howard. “The Limits of Power: Nixon's Foreign Policy During the Cold War.” Diplomatic History, vol. 24, no. 2, 2000, pp. 161–185.
• Zarefsky, David. “The Political Strategy of Watergate.” Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 73, no. 2, 1987, pp. 123–137.
• Williams, William Appleman. The Roots of Modern American Foreign Policy. Knopf, 1969.
• Wright, Steve. “Paranoia and Power: The Leadership Style of Nixon.” Historical Journal of American Political Development, vol. 12, no. 4, 2016, pp. 93–113.