The conceptualization of civil society by Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
differ in ways that affect liberties and distribution of power. While many of each individual
arguments are convincing on their own, none have a comprehensive approach that seem to be
able to hold its own in practical application. However, as we observe the modern world today,
it is clear that a combination of these proposed methods to organize civil society endures while
facing the harsh tests of reality, escaping the perfect world of theory.
In the Prince, Machiavelli presents a ruler who is ruthless, which in turn makes him
efficient. The prince is primarily concerned with assuring stability and sovereignty of his
reign and society while he rules. The ruler murders, lies, and steals in order to accomplish
what must be done. "Leader virtue" is what Machiavelli presents as "the ability of the prince
to carve from disorder and uncertainty of fortune a political order that incurs on people's
continuing support for the prince's regime."(87) It is interesting that "it is not always
possible or likely that the prince can sustain moral values traditionally considered
essential in normal, day-to-day settings...the science of Machiavelli is derived from a study
whose main objective is to acquire power and to use it to create orderly societies that
serve people's vital interests."(87) In this way, the famous phrase, "the ends justifies the
means" derives its significance. The ruler can use whatever tactics and methods to
accomplish his goals as long as his society is kept hap ...