Machiavelli
is an individual who was born at the end of 15th century. In his
career development he served Florence which was then under republican
government as a diplomat (Machiavelli 1979). Being in this position, Machiavelli
engaged in high-level diplomatic practices on behalf of this state. The
Diplomatic activities took him to big countries i.e. Italy and France. In
addition, Machiavelli being an individual gifted in personality analysis put in
paper the political assignments he undertook. However, during this period of
personal career development, republic forces were defeated and the government
disbanded. This regime change had several casualties; Machiavelli was the most
affected victim. It was alleged that Machiavelli conspired against the
individual who defeated republican forces, Medici (Machiavelli 1979).
The regime change brought torture and misfortune to Machiavelli who was
imprisoned and brutally tortured. After the imprisonment and subsequent
torture, Machiavelli wrote the prince. The article seeks to analyze the good
teachings of Machiavelli article under republican form of government.
The
important work of Machiavelli enlightens his thoughts on government. The writer
is keen at unmasking the tradition of tyranny and its relation to the
republican government. The republic government according to the writer is one
of the popular regimes that cannot be separated with tyranny. Tyranny is a
political tool that depends primarily on political circumstances. According to
Machiavelli (1979),
tyranny just as any other government, principle is prone to change and a regime
that practices the same can be changed. The prince and the discourses, Machiavelli
important political works postulates that the reform of tyranny regimes is
solely through leader education and exposure. The works are a revelation to
those individuals striving to join politics. In addition, this works are vivid
in relation to political circumstances and results. The two articles aim at
educating the states men and women on various aspects of political regimes and
the general, morality of leadership. In accordance to the prince, a wise political
leader is important in elimination of tyranny regimes. Machiavelli (1979)
argues that this individual is gifted with the knowledge of understanding the
goals of politics while at the same time understanding the ever-changing times
that call for frequent changes in running government. In addition, the book
points out the presence of challenges in political life, these are referred to
as accidents. Political leaders therefore need to accommodate these
difficulties and engage prudent ways in solving them. Machiavelli writing is
clear on the issue of sacrificial politics. The writer advances that for a
political regime to be appealing, its seriousness in politics is of utmost
importance. Given the seriousness of politics, the political leaders are in a
position to sacrifice their interests for the sake of the state. Having
represented the state as a diplomat, Machiavelli in his articles agitates for
personal sacrifice to the state and citizens in dissemination of service (Machiavelli 1979).
The
prince and the Discourses are great educators to the contemporary leaders and
citizens. Machiavelli has largely elaborated ways of eradicating tyranny
regimes. Machiavelli teachings seek to address both the public and those in
authority. According to his writings, citizens play a major role in the
transformation of state. They are tasked with the provision of quality services
on behalf of the state. This is an integral lesson, the good citizens are able
to foster nationhood during times of crises and salvage their countries (Machiavelli 1979).
In addition, being a prudent leader will allow wise counsel to the responsible
authorities. The writings seek to nature responsibility in both the leaders and
the public. Legitimacy of any authority in accordance with Machiavelli articles
is based on its moral goodness (Machiavelli 1979). In addition, the
political power accrued by a political leader is based in his moral standing in
the society. According to the prince,
good moral standing is paramount given the ruler intends to pass reign to offspring. This is because good and peaceful leaders are
believed to gain more favor from the electorate. However, Machiavelli argues
that judging the power use legitimacy lacks moral basis. Rather, the
individuals in power have the right impose their command over subjects (Machiavelli 1979).
Machiavelli criticizes the assertion that individual goodness leads to power
and argued that the level of moral character does not guarantee increased
authority. Machiavelli having worked for republican government has the
authority to rubbish the relationship of moral character and maintenance of
public office. In accordance to the
aforementioned criticism, Machiavelli intents to pass a point that when it
comes to power, there are specific rules guiding the game. According to the
prince, the activities undertaken during a given regime is directly related to
regime power and it is paramount therefore to educate rulers on the use of
power to encourage morality in activities. In addition, the writer advances a
teaching that, the usage of power ascertains the level of public obedience to
the ruler. Moreover, the ruler with proper application of power is capable of
reigning for longer period while maintaining a stable society with good
security.
Authority
and legitimacy of a political system rests squarely on the enforcement of law (Machiavelli 1979).
The treatment of law and force is an important concept addressed by Machiavelli
writings. According to Machiavelli, for a political
system to enjoy massive acceptance, it has to nature good laws an arms of
governance. Although Machiavelli fails
to address the issue of good laws in his writing, he argues that the issue of
having nice arms covers them (Machiavelli 1979). In addition,
according to him, laws depend on arms. To
control the public, a state instills fear in them. This deception gives the
state an ample time to conduct its inhumane control of the public, as each
individual will tend to run to the state for help. According to Machiavelli (1979),
people are amazing creatures that breaks the bond of love most of their time
but are loyal to deceptions. In addition, people tend to be loyal to a
retrogressive regime because they fear the consequences of their actions. The aforementioned issues of law and arm are
an important revelation. The public are the enemies of themselves as they buy
deception more easily then treasuring the bond of love in their daily
activities. The teachings of Machiavelli are that the public are ungrateful and
insincere just like their political systems. Furthermore, Machiavelli asserts
that political rulers’ respect of rights defines their level of success. The
rulers’ who are selfish and are only keen in protecting their own rights tend
to perish by the same rights while vice versa is true. In addition, during
times of conflicts, individuals who belief in power more that authority tend to
succeed in the quest. From Machiavelli article, it is apparent that for
citizens to acknowledge and respect laws, law authority needs power support (Machiavelli 1979).
A
discourse is one of Machiavelli works that expresses in depth his personal
feelings towards republican government (Machiavelli 1979). Its apparent from
this works that Machiavelli that for successful rule a strong government is
necessary. Although he argued that the position of the prince was hereditary,
he agrees that an ear to the aspirations of the public is paramount for a state
to thrive. However, a strong government will not function fully without
incorporating the rule of law and functional institutions. A state with a sound
constitutional dispensation assures freedom to its citizens. In such a society,
individuals participate in the daily operations of the government and the
government works in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of the public
(Machiavelli 1979).
Throughout the work of Machiavelli, liberty is the integral part of his theory
of political dispensations. To analyze the importance and the worthiness of a
state it is paramount to ascertain the level of liberty enjoyed by the
citizens. Machiavelli is an individual who had a lot of government experience
after working as a diplomat for the French government. Despite the hardships he
suffered, he still praises monarchy in a scenario where republics ought to be
encouraged. However, he laments that, despite the organization of a monarchy
government, it still lacks important qualities that are core to the composition
of a republican government. In addition, the qualities and the setting of the
republican form of government streamline its constitution more than that of a
monarchy regime. The discourse looks to applause the kingdom of France by being
one that is guided by law. According to Machiavelli, laws in this kingdom are
considered important and all individuals are under the law than any other
kingdom in existence. Machiavelli argues that despite the amount of power at
the king disposal, the population liberty and freedoms are still protected. The
supreme laws of the land check the powers of the king (Machiavelli 1979).
Security
is an important aspect to both a regime and the masses. According to
Machiavelli, most individuals under a monarchy regime fail to differentiate
between liberty and security. In addition, people claim liberty to make others
their subjects. However, the demand of others is in relation to security.
Monarchs fail to honor the masses with the demanded liberty but are quick to
provide security to every individual.
The state provision of security is enhanced by disarming the people to
ensure all citizens are equal. However, Machiavelli believes that the
advantages of the disarmament are limited compared to what could be derived in
a liberal state. The king of such a disarmed nation does not possess
supernatural prowess over her aggressors. It is an incentive to subject the
masses under their control. Machiavelli (1979) believes that a nation with armed
citizens is able to withstand both the government and foreign tyranny. From the
writing, Machiavelli is an ardent supporter of people induced liberty. In
monarchy regime, entirely the king controls everything. By contrast, republican
government entails the participating of all citizens in government. Liberty is
an important aspect in a republic and it is the responsibility of every citizen
to fight for its realization. Machiavelli in his work, discourses, points out
clearly that the general liberty enjoyed is a contribution of other parts (Machiavelli 1979).
The
prince adopts incentives that have grave negative effects to his soul (Machiavelli 1979).
The prince acts immorally to preserve his regime. However, acting against
morality and humanity is necessary when dealing with foreign aggressors and
when dealing with economic ills i.e. bribery and corruption. There are times
when corruption laws favor those in authority, this contradicts the initial
meaning of a democratic and liberal community and the common citizens are
considered less important. The writer in
his writing postulates that, sacrifice is paramount if the state of the economy
is to be sustained. Lack of humanity and civility drives individuals in
authority to commit grave mistakes that influences states negatively (Machiavelli 1979).
This selfishness is expounded in Machiavelli works, the prince and discourse.
An example is the Italian prince who seeks to amass wealth and enhance personal
protection at the expense of the state. From the aforementioned issues, it is
apparent that immoral activities that negatively affect society should be
avoided.
The
prince is responsible for the peace and stability in his kingdom. Adverse
situations i.e. aggressions call for sober response from the prince. The
individual at the helm of leadership is responsible for the decisions to save
the state. Machiavelli argues that, the prince is responsible for restoration
of order in a state. In addition, Machiavelli in discourse, points out that the
prince is responsible for reforms to address the economic ills of a state. The
reason for this argument was based on the belief that the pioneers of republics
enjoy public support and many like them while tyrants face stiff public
opposition. There are several difficulties encountered by leaders in the course
of their duty especially in relation to reforms. This therefore calls for a
leader with extraordinary character. In accordance to Machiavelli, the prince
is a very lenient, moral prince that seems to contradict the extraordinary
capabilities of a leader. However, Machiavelli states in the prince that the
prince needs to nature a good environment of arms, laws, friends and act as a
good example. These virtues are important for a morally upright leader.
However, the aforementioned issues are only realized after a struggle.
According to Machiavelli, republican government supersedes principality in the
long run. In discourses, Machiavelli argues that states have visions and dreams
which political communities need to enjoy together with freedoms. Every state is striving to ensure it meets
its human necessities in the long run.
Political, social and economic stability are some aspects of judging the
state of a regime, to ascertain whether it is good or bad. In accordance to
fostering stability, republican government is accredited. In accordance to Machiavelli, it is apparent
that during times of hardships and disasters, it is paramount to seek redress
on the political community principles and values. The principles are believed
to nature good morals that are important in restoring the initial good status
of a state (Machiavelli
1979).
In
conclusion, both the prince and the discourse speak about the political leaders
of both forms of government (Machiavelli 1979). Machiavelli intends
to teach individuals on the necessity to be a responsible leader and make
prudent decisions and challenging times. Moreover, Machiavelli through his
reverences displays the negativity of tyranny in both the ancient and modern
states. He asserts the fact that most men are driven by personal ambition and
selfishness. However, Machiavelli seeks to educate statesmen on the importance
of good morals that bring glory. In this regard, the prince and the discourses
pose important lessons concerning republican government than other previous
writings.
Bibliography
Machiavelli, N. 1979. The portable Machiavelli. New York:
Penguin Books.
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