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Veronica Alvarez-Galloso Ms.Zimmerman A.P. Lang P.2 October 7, 2012 Machiavelli V.S. Hobbes Essay Throughout history there have been many ways of governing and managing humanity. In The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, the main idea is that inflicting fear into the hearts of men is the only way to gain respect and power. However, in Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes he favors establishing a Commonwealth with contracts and rules. Favoring Thomas Hobbes ideals, history has proven that a government is the foundation to a great nation. While Machiavelli backs up his arguments with concrete historical evidence, Hobbes thoughts on how to manage mankind became the foundation to every society that would come after. Society has been the same since the first monarchy was established. We have maintained a relatively calm and peaceful living with a government established by rules. As Thomas Hobbes once said, Is annexed to the sovereignty the whole power of prescribing the rules whereby every man may know what goods he may enjoy. Leading a nation by said rules and regulations could mean success on the part of the president or emperor. If we just decided to make this a common way in which a nation is built we wouldnt have as many wars. In the end it doesnt have to lead to just fear and cruel punishment. Trust plays a key role in managing a nation filled with men. Achieving trust with a simple covenant or contract isnt difficult. Hobbes once stated in Leviathan that, Leave the other to perform his part at some determinate time after, and in the meantime be trusted. Hobbes explains that contracts are the foundations on which trust is built. The covenant establishes

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respect, trust and rules within a nation. If we were to follow this system we would achieve nothing but mutual agreement. A major aspect of a functioning society is peace. As Hobbes said so simply, The first and fundamental law of nature, which is: to seek peace and follow it. If you cannot find peace quickly go and look for it. Countries say they want peace but they never go search for it. This is ultimately the cause of all the wars we have. As far as society and political leaders are concerned a government established by peace is far more effective than by fear. Looking back at both of the mens views, the most traditional one is Hobbes. His idea for a Commonwealth filled with rules and contracts are what founded every nations government. Our government is the corner stone of our lives on this earth. We would be nothing without our rules and guidelines. Machiavellis views have been attempted by others in history such as Kony and Kim Jong-il, which have ended badly. This may seem like the easy way at first but it will never be a solid idea. Although many have attempted using fear in the way they govern nations, it would never last longer than the true government, which is the Commonwealth.

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Bibliography Hobbes, Thomas, and J.C.A. Gaskin. Of Causes, Generation, And Definition of a Commonwealth. Leviathan. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. 77. Print. "Joseph Kony Biography." Joseph Kony Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2012. <http://konyfacts.com/joseph-kony-biography/>. Machiavelli, Niccol , . K. Marriott, Nelle Fuller, and Thomas Hobbes. Cruelty and mercy. Is

it better to be loved than feared?." The prince,. Chicago: Encyclopdia Britannica, 19551952. 35-36. Print. retval;}, e(a);return. "Kim Jong Il, mass murderer, do not R.I.P.." Philly.com: News from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and Philly Sports. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2012. <http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/trudy-rubin/Kim-Jong-Il-mass-murderer-donot-RIP.html>.