THE RELEVANCE OF MACHIAVELLI’S HUMAN NATURE THEORY IN 21ST CENTURY

The thoughts of Machiavelli is one of the most significant ones in the field of Political Science. As he is considered as the thinker who marks the beginning of modern political thought. The ‘Human Nature Theory’ describes humans as dark in character and immoral in society. This papers intends to seek whether the theory only relates to the problems of human behaviour of Machiavelli’s contemporary era or its relevance is still visible in the present times. It also discusses the fact that the theory of human nature has went on to influence Thomas Hobbes in later period, who also mentions the same equalities of humans in his ‘state of nature’ theory. Accordingly, this paper attempts to see through its relevance in the current notion of modern civilized society. The paper also studies the postmodernism perspective of multiple realities, to relate that different human nature may exist differently in different time and place. That the realities faced by Machiavelli might have been just his version of reality. In the line, it also accepts the realist philosophy of power and domination, relevance in the present day context, which Machiavelli propounded, by providing example of the conflicts in 21st century. It intends to contemplate the success which the people have been able to achieve in developing ourselves morally and rationally to act in a peaceful and cooperative manner for the greater good of the society. KEYWORDS: Immoral, Realist, Postmodernism, Conflicts, Ungrateful, Cowardly