Abstract
One of the theories of Niccolo Machiavelli was that rulers should strive for subtle generosity sufficient to avoid the reputation for being generous. For, once the reputation for being generous is acquired, it becomes a cancer which will lead to impoverishment if that reputation is to be sustained. Even before the impoverishment stage, though, generosity may dissipate the ruler's resources so as to preclude efficient performance of his duties without raising taxes. Once taxes are increased, people come to hate the ruler, causing him to realize that the masses would have considered him to be generous if he initially had been more parsimonious with the few.
Recommended Citation
Watson, Camilla E.
(1993)
"Machiavelli and the Politics of Welfare,
National Health, and Old Age: A Comparative
Perspective of the Policies
of the United States and Canada,"
Utah Law Review: Vol. 1993:
No.
4, Article 5.
Available at:
https://dc.law.utah.edu/ulr/vol1993/iss4/5