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The Prince And Sir Thomas More Summary

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During the 16th century, Sir Thomas More wrote Utopia, which explains his views of the perfect society. In Utopia, More outlines sly ways to overcome war, establish a better economy, and set high standards for human nature. Soon after, Niccoló Machiavelli wrote The Prince. Both books are written with senses of perfecting a society, but The Prince emphasizes the ways a prince should act to improve one’s principality. Machiavelli’s views are based on a constant improvement of the state. In contrast, More’s ideas on a flawless civilization have the superior framework for a happy, comfortable, and stable society. In Utopia, the avoidance of war showcases true internal strength. Even though Machiavelli states, “war can’t be avoided, and putting it off will work to the advantage of others,” he fails to notice the strategic ways More describes in his preventions of war. Machiavelli’s brutish method to win wars leads to the downfall of his own population which More evades. The population fluctuations create instability for the economy due to the inconsistency of citizens going to war. Moreover, the prince rules an empire which means that those who under in the prince’s rule must obey the fact that he wants to obtain more land: “destructor Cuello imperio . . . destroyed the empire.” Machiavelli believes the only way to have a successful state is for the prince to constantly have war in mind, however, Utopians do not praise war: “They find no glory in the practice of killing.” With

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