In reading Niccolo Machiavelli\u2019s The Prince, <\/i>I couldn\u2019t help but wonder if this text served as the basis for Thomas Carlyle\u2019s \u201cGreat Man Theory.\u201d In the opening paragraph, the idea of the great man is introduced. Machiavelli states, \u201cI have been unable to find among my possessions anything which I hold so dear or esteem so highly as that knowledge of the deeds of great men,\u201d (101.) Two pages later, Machiavelli again mentions the idea of the great man, advising that \u201ca prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent,\u201d (103).<\/p>\n
Machiavelli was born almost three hundred years before Carlyle, and the concept of looking at the leadership of \u201cgreat men\u201d remained prevalent over that span of time. To put into perspective, the United States isn\u2019t even three hundred years old. I think it is really interesting that with one hundred forty years since Carlyle\u2019s death, we are still analyzing this theory. In the podcast we listened to about \u201cThe Great Man Theory,\u201d the hosts talked about how history is regarded as progress. However, after realizing how long this theory has been in place, I am scared that we have made little progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In reading Niccolo Machiavelli\u2019s The Prince, I couldn\u2019t help but wonder if this text served as the basis for Thomas Carlyle\u2019s \u201cGreat Man Theory.\u201d In…<\/p>\n