Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Machiavelli
You may think of this as a quick Review on what we learned about Machiavelli. What do you think are the highlights of Machiavelli's The Prince? Which points do you deem make the most sense? or most practical? Which of Machiavelli's teachings struck you the most or you agree with the most? Do you agree that it is better to be feared than loved? Was Machiavelli was really not Machiavellian? Do you agree that there are two kinds of morality?
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This comment may be a little late for review, but I think Machiavelli had plenty of highlights. I personally think Machiavelli's ideas and thoughts were very interesting. I'm just kind of fascinated by how "immoral" he seems, since to many, Machiavelli seems heartless and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. For example, Machiavelli wrote about being loved and feared. He said that it would be ideal to be both; however, since this cannot be, it is better to be feared than loved. With his army, Machiavelli said that cruelty is not a problem because that would be the only way to command their respect. Machiavelli also wrote about completely annihilating a country's past leaders and relatives once you have taken over their country. Despite the fact that Machiavelli may be seen as "immoral" I personally admire his ends justifies the means mentality.
ReplyDeleteFor the two kinds of morality I believe that there are two kinds of morality. Just like the example given in class, if a leader were to order for the execution of a person who committed a heinous act then the people would be there to support it. However, if a regular person were to kill someone, it would be a controversial topic. Some may agree that the person deserved to die while others may think that it was not up to the killer to kill them.
PS: Hope everyone did well on the exam! :D
I would just want to comment even if the exam is over. I would want to answer one of the question posted above: "Do you agree that it is better to be feared than loved?"
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is better to be feared than to be loved if we are talking about government and leadership. If a leader is loved, he or she will be followed but only to some extent. If the people would be tired of the ruler, they will stop following him/ her.
But if the leader is feared, the people will continue to follow him. The people will get tired of the leader sometime but will continue to obey him since there is that factor of the fear of the people.
Although it is better to be feared than to be loved when talking about leadership, it should not be up to the extent that the leader is hated. If the leader becomes hated the people will definitely not obey and may even revolt against the leader.
Hi, Kim. I don’t think that it is always better to be feared than to be loved when we are talking about government and leadership. In a principality, I guess. But what about in a democratic society? Do you think it is still better to be feared than to be loved?
ReplyDeleteLeaders in a democratic society are elected by popular vote, so I think it is better for them to be loved by the people by being friendly and caring than to be feared. But also, I think that the popularity that the loved leader amasses from the people can be used as capital to inspire fear into the opposing parties. Few people would want to go against a popular leader. There is even a political science theory to support this: the Spiral of Silence theory which states that people are less likely to voice an opinion against a popular, majority-supported leader. So I guess in a democratic society, being loved hits two birds with one stone. Thus, in this instance, I think that being loved is better than being feared.
TO MR ROBLES
ReplyDeleteMACHIAVELLI SIMPLY MEANT THAT A RULER WHO IS MERELY LOVED BUT NOT FEARED CANNOT ENFORCE DISCIPLINE. THE SCOUNDRELS WILL PURSUE THEIR EVIL DEEDS WITH IMPUNITY.
YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE POPULAR AFFECTION OF PEOPLE TO THEIR RULER IS THE LATTER'S GREATEST POLITICAL CAPITAL. MACHIAVELLI SAID AS MUCH: IT IS BEST TO BE BOTH LOVED AND FEARED. BUT THE QUESTION HE CANDIDLY CONFRONTED WAS: WHAT ABOUT A SITUATION WHEN A RULER CANNOT BE BOTH?
BEING ELECTED IN OUR POLITICAL CULTURE DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN HE IS LOVED. MANY MAY HAVE VOTED FOR HIM BECAUSE HE APPEARS TO BE THE BEST IN A BUNCH OF EVIL, BUT EVIL JUST THE SAME. OR VOTERS CHOSE HIM BECAUSE OF HIS PROMISES (NOT BECAUSE THEY LOVE HIM). OR BECAUSE HE CEMENTED THE ROAD LEADING TO HIS HOUSE .... THERE ARE MANY POSSIBLE REASONS FOR SELECTING A CANDIDATE AND I SUSPECT LOVE IS THE RAREST REASON.
FN