Machiavelli's "The Prince" 3 of 3

[DarthNaver1]

I really like these machiavelli vids. But I want to add to your ponderings on what benefits the prince would shower on his allies. Firstly, it could be referring to rewards that are not goods such as certain exclusive rights, honors, favors, government positions etc. It could be referring to goods or services stemming from the prince's personal wealth. That said, bear in mind that he is writing in the feudal era, so governments are ultimately aggregates of landlords who own their land . . .

[DarthNaver1]

and the resources on it, and have some control over the distribution of wealth. There is a sense in which the prince's personal wealth is the GNP. So these are probably the senses in which Machiavelli is speaking. Remember that many kings throughout European history had bastard children with no formal legal rights, or inheritances, who they would invent titles for, carve out properties for, and who's families often remained allies to the royal family, all withgovt's not being productive.

[TheNighthawk00]

Very good read! I like the way you explain some things in your own words and I also appreciate that you give, sometimes, your own opinion in a non-Political Correct (PC) way.

Reflecting upon what I just said, one could say that Machiavelli encourages PC speeches to keep up appearances of being merciful and just. While at the same time, behind the scenes, Machiavelli supports the dirty business. Isn't that exactly what politicians do today (and have always done and will always do)? :-)

[justinmccann]

Thank you for an excellent overview of "The Prince."

[GAIS414]

A bit of advice.

Maybe you should travel the world for a while to see whats really out there instead of just reading about it in books. You make yourself an easy target for angry comments when you start pushing your own perception of politics on people, instead of just presenting Machiavellis ideas in a straightforward manner. Read the book again and try to apply what you learn to yourself.

Good luck.

[yourmajezty]

fuck you. 4 eyes, ill punch you in the face and kill you!!!!!!!

[handelsme]

I mean look at Cesar and Brutus... Cesar was a completely dear friend and loyal companion to Brutus and Brutus just betrayed him because he was convinced by his friends and family.

[handelsme]

I'm confused at the part where he speaks of how one should gain one's loyalty by his friendship and honor instead of showering them with gifts... Cause it sounded like you were saying you couldn't trust the nature of people...

[terpsixori]

i don't think you quite understand the importance of this book for modern politics, and the irony of it all

[wrbmmusic]

Better to be Feared than Loved not Loved than Feared.

[zorrotech1]

Thank you for your summary, this by far is your best and most truely educational video

[RedRuuj]

Trolls are we. Hmm. You are quite full of yourself, aren't you?

You sir, are education's Wobbly-headed Bob!

[trisix99]

Cropper, the first 20 seconds proves you have no understanding of economics in the feudal era....................

[altosax1st]

Good summary. Do you have any future plans to do any videos on Discourses or the Art of War?

[prospect42191]

So in conclusion: This book is a must read for anybody who aspires to be a king and not a peasant.

[frozents1980]

ok man w/e im jst watching this becuz 2pac is trying to immitate this guy but he has a dif reason i wana know what the original machiavelli did it for what was his reason?

[drewd1987]

frozents1980, southern Italy has a long history of political instability.

[drewd1987]

"Why can't he get a straight answer from any of them? Because this was Sicily, he thought. Sicilians had a horror of truth. Tyrants and Inquistadors had tortured them for the truth over thousands of years. The Government in Rome with its legal forms demanded the truth. The priest in the confessional box commanded the truth under pain of everlasting hell. But truth was a source of power, a lever of control, why should anyone give it away?"

[drewd1987]

"On this Catholic island, statues of a weeping Jesus in every home, Christian forgiveness was a contemptible refuge of the coward"......"Yes, it is true you're doing a good deed, but for what purpose of your own?"

Mario Puzo - The Sicilian

[surrealpast]

People say that 2pac tried to fake his death but that's not why he changed his name to makeveli. 2pac was the "prince" and he tried to bring a military state of mind to start a revolution. You prob noticed that he would destroy all his foes. 2pac was gaining power that the government feared obviously especially since pac was very intelligent. Wonder why he got shot?:P

[trisix99]

lmao.....

[amigoamlo]

You are the worst lecturer I've ever seen. Your faulty comparisons between Macedonian Empire with US are forced because your premises are wrong.

[trisix99]

I think only his understanding of history is wrong, a common thing for mr.cropper... he's not very good at philosophy either lol.

[Siadhail]

Watched all three videos. I'm glad someone finally put up something good about Machiavelli. Brilliant man.

[jcortell]

Very enjoyable! Better than my Western Civ lecturer!

[ares1815]

thx for sharing this,

knowledge is power

[GrassAndRocks]

cropperb wrote the following to me in a private email:

"I regard every graduate of UCLA as cognitively deficient, brainwashed and woefully misinformed. The modern university system is corrupt like Hitler's inner circle, and the Cali U system is the most depraved of any educational system since the Nazi's ruled Germany (possibly more corrupt than that)."

[cropperb]

Do you not have anything better to do than start new accounts when I block you?

Why are you quoting a private email?

[ganondorf22]

why not quote a private email? Are you trying to hide something? Covering up the truth in any way is one of the greatest moral sins according to Ayn Rand's philosophy, and I sure hope that is not what you're trying to do, cropper.

[MrCropper]

What am I trying to cover up? Even though it was a private email, I still said things I believe (Surprise!).

Uhg. You trolls are such a waste of time and energy.

[drewd1987]

So what if croppeb wrote that?

I'm in college now and let me tell you... they teach nothing but propaghanda and any objective thinking is quickly met with opposition. Never stop questioning..

[horvay]

Well, he seems to say little on morals but seems to have much to say on efficiency.

Oh, and do you have a cold? I mean, I know you aren't going through puberty...