The Transformative Works Of Niccolo Machiavelli s The...

The transformative works Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince (1532) and Thomas More’s Utopia (1516) display vastly different opinions and perspectives on the relationship between virtue and politics, however some minor similarities between the two works can be noted. The Prince and Utopia create significant contributions to political theory offering different central claims on virtue and its relationship with politics. Another major point of difference between the two texts is the place that war has in their communities and whether war and an aggressive foreign policy is virtuous. Although, there are critical differences in the texts both authors agree that practicality is key in guiding principles about the relationship of virtue and†¦show more content†¦Contrastingly, More rejects the idea that rulers should abide by a different concept of virtue than citizens and puts forth the notion that politics and virtue have an intricate relationship with all members of s ociety. More, as a Christian humanist imbeds Christian ideals throughout Utopia. This statement at first seems inaccurate as the text focuses on moral reason and critiques the Christian society in which More lived. Yet, as More was a deeply committed Christian he was also a humanist focusing on the practicality of Christianity in individual lives such as morals and virtue not on rituals such as church attendance (Bradshaw 1984). Utopia uses communism and social engineering such as the carefully selected Priests educating children and reeducating criminals about the Utopian principles as a way of maintaining a society of consistent Christian virtue (Bradshaw 1984). The Prince and Utopia therefore differ in the underlying principles of virtue and its relationship with politics. One of the most notable differences between The Prince and Utopia is their opposing place that war has in their consideration of virtue. Machiavelli lists numerous men which he considers virtuous in The Prince and the common theme throughout all of the