Research Paper on:
Plato, Aristotle And Machiavelli: How Machiavellian Philosophy Is More "Modern"

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true in modern civilized society, however, illustrates how myopic they were with regard to attitudes of political freedom and personal rights, two aspects that have proven paramount to the staying  power of Machiavellian philosophy. The words of pivotal political theorist Machiavelli, the sixteenth century philosopher who urged the separation of politics from moral  and religious considerations, still characterizes contemporary American politics some four hundred years after their utterance. Machiavellis political theories, which have made a significant contribution to the development of modern  political thought, have survived the test of time and continue to endure in the political structure of the twentieth century. Why have these political theories held strong through the  centuries in spite of the fact that myriad attempts have been made to thwart that very effort? The answer is simple: Machiavellis insightful conclusions and assertions with regard to  the relationship between religion and politics are founded within the fundamental concepts of logic - a characteristic that is difficult to refute. To  demonstrate how these principles are more modern than those of Plato or Aristotle, one only needs to view the specific Machiavellian dictates that have been utilized in both historical and  contemporary politics: (a) The use of diplomacy and the formation of coalitions; (b) Violent and deceptive acts when committed in the name of the state are acceptable and necessary; (c)  That the state is a purely secular institution; (d) That democracy is the preferable choice of governance; (e) That the course of political events is determined by examining the past.  It is by way of these principles that Machiavelli fashions the foundation of separation between religion and politics. "This is due in my opinion not so much to