“ I also think a ruler will flourish if he adjust his policies as the character of times changes; and similarly a ruler will fail if he follows policies that do not correspond to the needs of the time…But if one knew how to change ones character as the time and circumstances chance, ones luck would never run out.”(75-76)

In this chapter Machiavelli goes on to explain that though people believe fortune is something that just comes and goes, and its ruled by god, (humans have no control of it) he says if you are an adaptable leader and are flexible to current world situations you can control and use it to your advantage. I think this in a way shadows why in the United States we have different political parties. Also why in different points of history one party seems to be more dominant and successful than the others. Political parties are made up of somewhat set standards, beliefs and, values they want to communicate to the people. The political representatives of these parties “share” these beliefs. The laws, rules and changes they want to instill and speak about are connected to those initial values. Machiavelli says that this is the reason rulers fail. Because the world changes, situations change, and the policies and beliefs we though we needed before are no longer relevant to the time. A great example is the Democratic and Republican party. Right now gay marriage is a huge topic and it is something that is increasingly becoming acceptable as more and more states legalize it. A Republican Party member would be against gay marriage, because of the root of their religious beliefs and values. But if they were running in a state that is pro gay marriage, it would not be advantageous for them to say they are against it. Politicians need to stay current and relevant with developing policies, and sometimes this may mean setting their initial beliefs aside, and adapting to new ones. This is why in the United States we have periods where there is a Democratic majority in government ruling, and others where it is Republicans. The party’s beliefs aren’t changing, but the wants of the people are, so they are electing the leaders best suited for the current situation.