Comparison of Morality in The Prince, Second Treatise of Government and UtilitarianismNiccolo Machiavelli, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill present three distinct models of government in their works The Prince, Second Treatise on Government and Utilitarianism. From examining these models, it is possible to infer their views on human nature and its connection to the purpose of government. A key to comparing these views can be found in examining their ideas about morality as an intermediary between government and human nature. Whether this morality is to be inferred from their writings or explicitly stated, it differs among the three in definition, source, and purpose. About three hundred years separate the first of these works, The Prince, from the most recent, Utilitarianism. , and a progression is perceptible in the concept of morality during this period. Machiavelli does not mention the word "morality", but his description of the tendencies and ideals of human political interaction allows a reasonable deduction of this concept. Locke does not use this word either, but he speaks of “the standard of good and evil”. In contrast, Mill writes explicitly and extensively about morality in its forms, sources, and obligations. A logical starting point in this examination is a look at their relative views of human nature. For Machiavelli, people are children who need order. They are childish, not in their innocence, but in their passions. They are ungrateful, greedy, deceitful and fickle. However, they are also rational and want to avoid danger. By calculating their interests, they can see the need to unite to pursue common goals, such as conquest versus acquisition, p...... middle of paper ......e pushed into society civil by their controversial nature. As such, all three require an organizing and governing influence in society to ensure that it achieves the goals for which it exists. For Machiavelli as for Locke, this influence comes directly from the government. For Mill, this influence comes from within society, from the associations we form with other people; however, it requires some minimal support from government to keep it on track. This influence is morality and it is an extension of human nature. Works Cited Locke, John. The Second Treatise on Government, ed. Thomas Pardon, New York, Bobbs-Merrill, 1952. Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Trans. Hill Thompson. Norwalk: The Easton Press, 1980. Mill, John Stuart. » Resources on utilitarianism. BLTC. January 19 2003.