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Western Civilization 1715 Chapter 12: The Renaissance Prince - Views of Machiavelli and Erasmus

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Assignment: Opposing Viewpoints 
"The Renaissance Prince: The Views of Machiavelli and Erasmus"
(the uploaded jpeg files contains the required reading material) 
Class Subject: Western Civilization to 1715
Chapter 12: Recovery and Rebirth: The Age of the Renaissance

Main Question: What does Machiavelli have to say about being loved rather than feared? How does this view contrast with that of Erasmus on the characteristics of a good ruler? Which viewpoints do you consider more modern? Why? Which viewpoint do you think is correct? Why?

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Opposing viewpoints: The renaissance prince: the views of Machiavelli and Erasmus
Machiavelli argued that a leader cannot be feared and loved at the same time, and hence a leader needs to have either of the two qualities (Spielvogel 262). Machiavelli is a realist who observed that people are deceptive and have self seeking interests and hence the need to be feared. A powerful leader is then one who can instill fear and be respected as people restrain themselves for fear of retribution. On the other hand, being loved carries the risk that the followers have no fear of offending, while a feared leader should be careful to avoid hatred by those being ruled (Spielvogel 262).
Erasmus uses a religious viewpoint to argue that moral principles and virtue are the ideals that should influence a leader (Spielvogel 263). On the other hand, Machiavelli advocated for a government system where leaders used fear since the people were more likely to obey the laws, since there were fully aware of consequences to their actions. The views of Erasmus are a rebuttal of Machiavelli&rsq...
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