In Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, Machiavelli outlines his beliefs relating to sovereign, governance and power. Machiavelli describes the characteristics a Prince should possess. He believed a Prince should establish ambitious goals even if such goals were unattainable. Of utmost importance to Machiavelli, was the idea that a ruler shouldn’t rely on fortune but rather their natural skill and intelligence. That talent would help a Prince rule more effectively and efficiently. Machiavelli says “those who, like these men, become princes by means of ingenuity, acquire their principality with difficulty, but hold on to it with ease” (C,235). He advises that although it is more difficult to gain power through inventiveness, it is easier to hold that power once it is won. In the alternative, Machiavelli believed that even if one doesn’t possess the requisite skill and abilities to govern, they should nevertheless act as if they do. Princes must work on their image and how they appear to the people they govern.
In the New York Times article “A former schools chief shapes her comeback” by Trip Gabriel, Michelle Rhee follows some of Machiavelli’s advice. Ms. Rhee, who is known as an important figure in public education, resigned her seat as chancellor of Washington D.C. schools in October due to pressure. However still passionate saving the education system, she announced this week that her next move is to lead a new advocacy group, called Studentfirst. She plans to set ambitious goals to repair the public school system, she says “The ultimate goal is to shift the power dynamic of education in this country, which I think for far too long has been dominated by special interests, whether the teachers’ unions or textbook manufacturers”. She intends to raise a billion dollars for Studentfirst, which Machiavelli would consider as an ambitious goal. However her authoritative tactics has also caused her to gain enemies. To help salvage her image, Ms. Rhee hired Anita Dunn, former communication director for President Obama. She plans to reform the education system from its corrupt ways in a manner Machiavelli would endorse.
