Analysis+1

Machiavelli describes hereditary principality in chapter two of his book, The Prince. He defines hereditary principality as a principality that has been governed by a particular family for generations. He believes this makes governing easier because the past customs are already instilled in the society’s mind and the government. This idea has been portrayed in the founding of our nation and in modern day society.

In the founding of our nation their were many political families that made an impact but the most prominent one was the Adams’s whose political ties initiated by Samuel Adams who was the organizer of the Boston Tea Party. Samuel Adams’s political line went on with minor references to politics until John Adams became the second president of the United States and his son, John Quincy Adams, was the first president be the son of a president. John Quincy Adams was instrumental in the American Revolution, which of course got the United States of America independence from Britain. The Franklins also had extensive ties to politics. The political alignment began with Benjamin Franklin in 1706 and just ended in 1960 with Tommy Bogg, US representative to Maryland.

John Quincy Adams

In modern day society there are also examples of political families. The most modern and well known is the Bush family. Our current president is George W. Bush Jr. whose father is former president George W. Bush Sr. His brother “Jeb” Bush is the governor of Florida. George W. Bush Sr.’s father, Prescott Bush, was a United States Senator representing Connecticut; his brother was an unsuccessful republican candidate. Another well known political family was the Kennedy’s. John Fitzgerald, three-term member of congress, was the first to spark political ambition until his grandson John F. Kennedy, became the 35th president of the United States. The long line that followed after ended in 1995 with Patrick J. Kennedy, a state representative for Rhode Island.

George W. Bush Sr. and Jr.

Machiavelli believes that hereditary principality can help a kingdom but I have to disagree. To some extent Machiavelli is correct that hereditary principality can make the transition to a new prince easier. The family's political ideals are already known by the society so they can adjust to the new "prince" quite easily, but only if they agreed with the family's political stand point in the beginning. For instance, an american liberal who did not vote for George W. Bush Sr. or who did not agree with his way of governing would not have been happy to see his son get elected into office. If one did not agree with the father's or other family member's views they they would most likely assume that there relative would be just like them. On the other hand if the voter did agree with views then they would be excited to see their family traditions and morals carried on.

Bibliography

Brinkley, Alan. "John Adams ." 2004 12-10-07 .

Cappon, Lester. "George Bush-A History ." 2006 12-10-07 .

Floyd, Chris. "Empire Strikes Back ." Worm Turning: The True Base of the Bush Dynasty 2005 12-10-07 .

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