Does the use or the threat of the use of force ultimately determine `who gets what" in international politics? Answer in light of the theories examined in class. A prince who is of average capabilities will always keep his state unless an extraordinary and excessive force deprives him of it, and should he lose it in such a manner he will repossess it at the first setback suffered by the conqueror. -- Niccolo Machiavelli This quote from Machiavelli"s The Prince expresses the classic realist idea that force will ultimately get you what you want on the international...
want, and the most effective way of doing this has proven to be by force. This means that the use and the threat of the use of force does ultimately determine `who gets what" in international politics. More force equals more spoils, and I shall conclude with Machiavelli"s justification for a prince"s employment of `evil acts": A prince...cannot practice all those things which gain men a reputation for being good, as it is often necessary, in order to keep hold of the state, to act contrary to trust, contrary to charity, contrary to humanity, and contrary to religion.