When the Ends Justify the Means...

The Prince by Niccolo Machieavelli was first published during the Renaissance. The main theme of this book is that people in power should do anything they have to in order to maintain their power.

In order to gain background information and additional historical perspective please watch the following clip. Please pay close attention towards the end of the video when it shows famous leaders in the window that have used the policies of Machiavelli:
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For this next clip you will have to recall what the importance of cartoons and Disney movies when you were younger. This clip shows when Scar chooses to kill his own brother Mufasa in order to become king. Once Mufasa has died and he tells his nephew Simba to run away he can become King. I chose this clip becasue it highlights how the theories first published during the Renaissance by Machaivelli can even be seen in Disney movies!

In your comment about Machiavelli please complete the following tasks.

1. Explain how Scar in the Lion King could use Machiavelli to justify his actions in the clip.

2. Think of any leader (past or present) who has usesd the theories of Machiavelli in how they ruled and explain how they could use Machiavelli to justify their actions. (Hint the video with the background information shows some examples in the window)