Machiavelli – The Prince and Totalitarians

Another good example of this Marxist opening Is Joseph Stalin. Stalin utilise his military to rise to power. He killed countless pot in tack together to come into authority and let down his beliefs on the state. Jewish virtual library explains, Stalin consolidated his power base with the Great Purges against his political and ideological opponents, most notably the old cadres and the rank and file of the Bolshevik Party. (Jewish Virtual Library, 1) Throughout the Great Purges Stalin immure tortured and assassinated his enemies through his militaristic force.This Is a very clear display of Machiavellian theories because Machiavelli repeatedly states that military is the root of power and authority and he emphasizes that military should be utilise in order to rise to power. Another Machiavelli theory that justifies the actions of totalitarian rulers is the theory that it is more efficient to rule with uncouthty and panic rather than love and fairness. Each of these totalita rian rulers employ this Ideology during their time as which is why people feared and respected him.BBC states, Lenin demonstrated a hilling disregard for the sufferings of his fellow countrymen and mercilessly crushed any opposition. (BBC, 1) This shows that Machiavellian theories did actualize Linens actions because Machiavelli explains that it is better to for a prince to be feared rather than loved because love can come and go that the fear of pain is everlasting. Lenin proves this because he was feared and t presentfore people obeyed him. Another example of the use of rigorousness is the cruel acts of Joseph Stalin.Stalin ruled with an iron fist and struck fear into peoples hearts. This fear is what drove hem to obey Stalin and correct to his will. Jewish Virtual Library states It is believed that with the purges, forced famines, state terrorism, labor camps, and forced migrations, Stalin was responsible for the death of as many as 40 million people wi shorten the borders of the Soviet Union. Jewish Virtual Library, 1) This follows Machiavellian theory because Stalin was excessively cruel to millions of people and was respected for a long period of time because of fear.Another theory that these totalitarians embody is the theory that a prince should ease their decisions on the well being of the state. For example Karl Marx imposed his theory of communist-based Marxism on his state because he thought it was the best thing for the state. The Communist League explains Marxist-Leninist absorb the concept of social sectionalization put forward above, but hold that a persons social class is determined not by the amount of his wealth, but by the source of his income as determined by his relation to labor and to the office of production. (Marxism and Class, 1) Marx created this intricate system of classes in order to maintain order thin his state. Although it was not successful, Marx created this policy for the well being of the state, so that the state could flourish. This relates to Machiavellian theory because Marx did as Machiavelli advised. He had the well being of the state in mind throughout his time of ruling. Another ruler who followed Machiavellian theory on well being of the state was Vladimir Lenin. Lenin not only followed a Marxist impetus in his state, but he also tried to improve his states economy.BBC states, He introduced the New Economic Policy, here a measure of private enterprise was again permitted, a policy that continued for several long time after his death. (BBC,I) Lenin introduced this policy in order to preserve the economy of his state. It lasted several years after his death, which means he was successful in doing so. Lenin laid out a structure for the state to thrive because he had the well being of the state in mind while making his decisions. This follows Machiavellian theory because Machiavelli tell to make every decision based on the well being of the state.Although he was cruel and used militar istic power, he was ultimately trying to better the state in his own way which is barely what Machiavelli preaches. All in all, Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, and Vladimir Lenin were embodiments of the theories Machiavelli introduced in The Prince. They ruled and based their states on militaristic power, they ruled their states through cruelty and pain over compassion and love, and kept the well being of the state in mind in every decision they made. Machiavellian theories Justified their actions in that they each very closely followed them.Karl Marx had a stiff military and had the well being of the state in mind, throughout his time as ruler, and Vladimir Lenin had a wholesome military and also made sure to keep the well being of his state in mind. Although the states of these rulers were not very successful and resulted in the deaths of many people, they were support by the Machiavellian theories. The lesson to be learned is that although their actions were supported by the Machiav ellian theories, they caused severe damage and terror to the world and these theories should ultimately not be used in any type of modern government.