i as to “the good and bad use of cruelties.” By this, Machiavelli is referring to both the effective and non-effective uses of force. Machiavelli states that “Good use is when…is when they [acts of cruelty] are perpetrated all at once…and subsequently not repeated.” Much like the reign or terror instituted by C. Marius in the late Roman republic or the killing of the Russian royal family during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Machiavelli advocated the swift use of blatant force to kill off the opposition as well as to strike fear into the hearts of the masses. Over time the ruler may make the use of his force less often, thus giving him the appearance of being kind. Machiavelli goes on to say that the bad use of cruelty is when they are increased rather than extinguished with the passage of time.” When cruelty is implemented in such a way, the populaces mood changes from one of fear to one of hatred. Machiavelli also instructs Lorenzo de Medici that a successful ruler should be both loved and feared. However, since it is quite difficult to gain a reputation for two such contrasting traits, “it much more secure to be feared than to be loved.” It is better to be feared because men, being evil natured, are more prone to turn on a man who they loved than a man they fear. Machiavelli goes on to say that a successful ruler does not necessarily have to possess every good human trait but that “it is truly necessary that he appear to have them.” Niccolo Machiavelli is regarded by many as an unscrupulous man. Some disagree with his policy of implementing calculated violence. Others disagree with his notion that ends justify means. However, Machiavelli was correct in that these are all things that have proven successful in politics both before and after his life. ...
