response to #2

In Machiavelli’s The Qualities of a Prince, one of the qualities that Machiavelli states a prince should maintain is “generosity.” Though Machiavelli’s idea of “generosity” is “burden the people with excessive taxes and to do everything possible to raise funds” (41) he felt this would make the prince a “miser” and to him it was considered better to be dubbed as a miser than a generous person because past experiences have shown him that your generosity can become the cause of your downfall “a prince must guard himself against being despised and…”(43) So, in response to the idea of modern politician succeeding using Machiavelli recommendation I’d say no. Let’s take a look at Bush for an example, he has been “generous,” juicing the people for their money, cutting back on certain necessities, and also raising gas prices all to benefit the success of the war, which has done nothing to help our country. We are now trying to rebuild Iraq, have lost an abundant amount money, not including all the pain that we have cause Iraqian civilians and American soldiers and their families including the shame it has brought this country.