Analysis of the Prince and Leviathan Books Using Utopian Ideals Essay Example

ruling neighboring kingdoms.

The Princedom system involves employing military prowess and mercenaries to attack neighboring territories and bring them under control. In this system, ongoing fighting dominates the kingdom as conflicts continually arise in the pursuit of political dominance. These recurring fights contradict More's vision of a peaceful and harmonious Utopian world, which does not desire political wars or hierarchies. The defeated states' citizens suffer from cruelty and fear, losing their land and property to the new rulers. This disruption of harmony leads to economic inequality, as people lose their wealth, violating the Utopian principle of equality. Kingdoms heavily invest in military equipment and training to uphold the Prince's display of power and superiority.

Much of the kingdom's income goes towards the military, which greatly disadvantages the poor. This leads to an increase in inequality, which goes against More's Utopian belief. In the Princedom, there appears to be a strong presence of hatred and a desire for positions of power. This is evident when Alexander kills his uncle in order to gain honor and take his position. Such actions reflect a greed for power that goes against the principles of Utopia.

In the kingdom, people may develop animosity towards the prince and organize a rebellion, resulting in a lack of harmony. The craving for wealth and power is deeply ingrained in Princedoms, leading to deadly clashes among Popes over money, as evidenced by Pope Julius who seizes control of the church and uses it to assassinate and overthrow the prince in France (Machiavelli, 1998). Consequently, the Machiavellian Princedom does not allow for the implementation of Utopian principles outlined by Thomas More. In contrast, Hobbes presents in his book,

Leviathan, a government system characterized by absolute monarchy. Hobbes advocates for a system where individuals constantly compete for their basic needs such as food and shelter, necessitating the presence of a controlling authority.

Hobbes' theory of sovereignty emphasizes the importance of contracts, such as the Commonwealth, in achieving peace and harmony and avoiding conflicts. It also emphasizes the need to abide by these agreements, as deviating from them disrupts peaceful coexistence. According to Hobbes, the ideal form of government allows for the selection of leaders by the people to represent them, while granting absolute power to the government. This system is guided by a covenant that outlines the transfer of power, aiming to prevent wars and promote harmony during power transitions. The presence of a shared authority, known as sovereignty in Hobbes' definition, fosters justice and ensures that everyone abides by the same laws.

Hobbes also advocates for submission to authority, as it ensures peace and prevents uprisings against the government. The taxation policy in a monarchy is progressive, meaning the wealthy are taxed more. This promotes social justice and equality in the community. Equality is a defining characteristic of the utopian world favored by Hobbes. The leader chosen under the sovereignty rule advocated by Hobbes must prioritize the common interests of the people who elected him.

By this, it means that the desire of the people or the government is dedicated to creating and maintaining a welfare state for its citizens (Hobbes, 2011). This aligns with the same principle that Thomas More envisions in his utopian society. Therefore, Hobbes' principle of sovereignty is the most preferable when implementing these utopian ideals. Thomas More's utopian ideals are

imaginary and it is challenging to find a society where they are practiced. More advocates for a society characterized by equality, peace, harmony, and justice. Through the character of Raphael, it is evident that the political elite in Europe are corrupt and devalue human life.

The creation of the utopian fictional world is seen to criticize the existing regimes in Europe. The Prince, a story by Machiavellian, depicts a scenario of an atmosphere that is far from realizing the utopian principles. Leviathan, as described above, demonstrates that the utopian principles aim at creating an ideal world, the principles can still be applied in the modern society through the establishment of covenants and governments that promote peace, harmonious handling of power as well as respects the natural rights of the people.

References

1. Hobbes, T. (2011). Leviathan. Emereo Pty Limited.
2. Machiavelli, N. (1998). The Prince (1st ed.). Retrieved from http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/about/staff/publications/paul-nation/Prince-Adapted2.pdf
3. More, T. (1997).

Utopia. New York: Dover Publications.