Machiavelli, the Teacher of Reality

Throughout history there has been many great political thinkers, among the best is Machiavelli. In his work, The Prince, it is very apparent that he has a strong set of rules for leaders to follow. His ability to explain the need of war, the truth of luck vs virtue, and the good use of cruelty, the need to be liked; Machiavelli is not a teacher of evil but rather had a strong knowledge of reality.

Throughout The Prince Machiavelli discusses war in many instances. He says that a great leader should not be afraid of war and while he should not go looking for it if the need for war arises, he should go in full force, any delay would benefit his opponent. Machiavelli discusses how one should not hold off on making political movements to avoid war as they are inescapable (Prince, chap.3, p.11). He says if pushed off the war will come at a time that is less favourable, this assumes the idea that control is important to leadership in Machiavelli’s view (Prince, chap.3, p.13). If one can foresee a war and control when it happens, they have the upper hand and are essentially the stronger leader. Some may believe Machiavelli’s view on war to be inherently evil as it would appear “less evil” to not attack head on at the slightest threat of war, however when looking deeper into it this makes a better leader. As a leader one should put their citizens first, and by attacking when there is a foreseen war instead of allowing the opponents to have the advantage, he is essentially the best leader for protecting his citizens.

While Machiavelli believes that many may come into power by luck, it is their strength (virtù) that keeps them in power (Prince, chap.3, p.11). After one gain an opportunity by luck, their virtu will come to surface and be reviled. He goes on to describe men as wicked and unable to be faithful, therefore explaining that a leader does not have to keep his promises if it no longer holds the same benefit it had when he promised it. Obligational ties are unreliable, whereas ties built off of fear make men hold themselves accountable to avoid punishment (Prince, chap.16, p.52). Machiavelli’s view on virtue or what it is to be manly explains his desire for control and power in a realistic way. He believes humans are naturally bad, and therefore making them comply is more practical than being nice and simply expecting them to comply. If anything, when people see their leader as weak or too nice, they may take advantage of it or find a way to overthrow them with the knowledge of their weakness. This is a realistic way of thinking as it is the reality that one cannot rely on luck to succeed, no matter how fortunate they are, without the correct resources they will not continue to succeed.

As much as many may think cruelty is equivalent to evil, however to Machiavelli it is simply another means of staying in power. It is a necessity for to preserve oneself, to avoid corruption, and to protect citizens from greater evil or danger. He deems it a leader’s responsibility to prevent chaos as it is easier to punish a small group of people for rebelling rather than allowing these troublesome ideas to spread and having to get. A large group of citizens in order (Prince, chap.16, p.51). Machiavelli stresses the amount of people that are affected by cruel acts. If cruel acts to a few can save the majority then he appears to find it acceptable. He believes men have beastly qualities, but he must know how to use them and proceeds to use animals as role models. He expands on how the fox and lion are good examples because a good leader should be both and switch when needed because lions cannot avoid traps well and fox’ can be overpowered easily; be a lion when it comes to strength and a fox to avoid traps (Prince, chap.17, p.54). In reality this makes sense, to preserve oneself and the strength they represent as a leader comes first, to make an example of a small group of people to show the larger group of people your character before things turn chaotic is a fair way to keep one’s citizens in order.

Machiavelli speaks on the need to be liked and trusted by the people you are ruling over however, he continues to say to be feared is just as good. As long as the leader is not hated, to be feared gives the leader the most amount of control. Looking good to the people is important, holding values they want in a ruler such as honesty, compassion and being religious allows citizens to trust in the leader. He makes it clear that it remains important for citizens to still fear the leader, because he claims that to love a leader is a choice and not a stable emotion for someone who would like to remain in power to work with. Fear on the other hand can easily be controlled by the person causing the fear, if enforced properly the will of the people will be mostly in the hands of the ruler (Prince, chap.15, p.48). He continues on with a strong notion of the importance of reputation, which all circles back to his strong stance on control, a leader can control their reputation so they should build one that gives them power, so they do not get overthrown, taken advantage of, or hated (Prince, chap.9, p.31). To control the group of people you are ruling makes ruling more practical, if all were to do as they please and not have some fear built into them society would most likely turn to chaos, Machiavelli’s realistic advice makes leaders stronger and more powerful.

In conclusion, Machiavelli does not teach evil but rather has a realistic approach to guiding leadership. He explains the importance of war and not remaining neutral, he explains that the citizens of the leader’s land need to come first and be protected, if a leader stays neutral or does not proceed with war for foreseen problems, they are giving their opponents an advantage. Machiavelli shows his lack of trust in politics and his strong belief in what someone. Can create for themselves. This is shown in his explanation of how a leader should rely on his virtú and own personal skills rather than luck because a leader may come into power by luck, but he will either remain in power or fail as a leader depending on who he is as a man. He uses animals to depict this picture by saying a good leader will be as strong as a lion while at the same time being as sneaky as a fox, creating balance yet both in strong ways enforcing the leader’s overall control, strength, and showcasing his ability to lead. Finally, Machiavelli discusses the preference of being feared over being liked because it gives a leader more control over his people. To some something is a choice and an emotion that may die fast, but to fear a leader without hating it gives the leader more control over the people and their loyalty.

Bibliography

Machiavelli, The Prince, edited and translated by David Wootton.