The New Machiavellian State
In 1513 Nicolo Machiavelli wrote his most famous work, The Prince. Contained in this document was a recommendation on how to rule a people and maintain that power. In The Prince, he concludes that some "virtues" will lead to a prince's destruction, whereas some "vices" allow him to survive. Much of what Machiavelli wrote has influenced many who aspire to retain or obtain power. The most famous advice found in this book is that it is, “better to be feared then loved”. The rational behind this can be simplified by saying that those who are in fear obey unconditionally out of the instinct for self-preservation. Whereas, those who obey out of love do so when whatever it is coincides with their needs. These principles for ruling have been applied extensively throughout history. Today, I would propose that Machiavelli would find his political work applied to a new and elevated level. What once would control a badly educated, uninformed, poor population has been transformed to control a moderately educated, misinformed, middle-class population, among others. The difference that has been made is to the basic advice, that “it is better to be feared then loved”. The new Machiavellian principle would be that it is “better to be loved out of the fear of others.” The transformation to the concept, although ever so slight, has made all the difference over these past few years.
A wonderful example from which so much political criticism is derived is that ever so hated Bush administration. That administration has through its eloquent manipulation of public opinion perpetuated a cycle of fear and hate that has given it the love and admiration of so many seemingly sensible and decent human beings. As so many of us do as we sit back and analyze the perplexing situation, we ask ourselves, “why would anyone vote for such a blatant detriment to the human species?” It would seem that it has a lot to do with the manipulation of fear and hate. Fear, hate, mistrust expended in every direction outward leaving only love and respect for your beloved protecting leader. Down in the polls? Alert status red, so all the people are too busy duct taping their windows to realize you haven’t done a positive thing for the American working class since you were elected. At this point I would refer you back to the posting I made about the tiger repelling rock. We should all fear and assume the worst and when that doesn’t come, we should all thank whoever is in control no matter what they have done to cause that threat. This new manipulation of Machiavelli’s political philosophy is without doubt a highly intelligent and well orchestrated plan. Whether it was something that has been developed or stumbled upon accidentally it doesn’t matter. The fact of the matter remains that this is now a political tactic, which we can be aware of. We now have the hindsight to realize that if we are not aware and informed we can be manipulated. As long as we continue to be aware we remain ahead of the “game”. Now, all we need to do is inform our neighbours and our friends so we have a chance to actually make a true difference when need be.
posted by SilentFrank at 9:56 PM
2 Comments:
I agree with your point that it is not a new tactic. By no means is it new in the grand scheme of history. Hence, my poor history lesson on Machiavellian political philosophy. I would argue that it has been a political tactic for most of recorded history. I believe my point was somewhat over looked. I was merely pointing out that this reworking of the Machiavellian tactics by inducing fear and hate throughout your people and have it directed towards other people is something relatively new and much more dangerous.
Arguing over whether Kerry or Bush would have done things any differently is a dead end arguement and I would not propose to know who would have done a better job as president.
I think we agree on most points here. The values of the American people were a major decisive factor in the last election. But to deny that the fear mongering rhetoric of the George Bush administration labelling various countries "axis of evil" or their extensive use of the words " weapons of mass destruction" didn't influence the American peoples views would be illogical. I would assume you agree with me there anyway. Personally, I believe it has become a beautiful and devastating means for a ruling government to influence the political agenda and to focus the media and in turn the minds of an entire people. As George Orwell purposed those who control the language control the thoughts. You may have already come across this view expressed in his excellent novel "1984". He wrote more on this in his essay "Politics and the English Language". I thank you for your comment. I am glad someone actually read this stuff. Criticism and discussion help me improve my writing and allow me to clarify my standpoint.
The original Machiavellian State was an ideal (just as E squared remains an ideal). Machiavelli was a strong political realist to the definition. He was one of the first philosophers to emphasize the idea, "let’s look at what people are ACTUALLY like." Notice Machiavelli's theories, and their application to today's society. He said true power is when a prince has power for a long time. Could this be Bush, being reelected for a second term? Did Americans just give Bush true power? I would like to think, in our case, the 'prince' is not a person, but more so a system of thought. Americans did not elect Bush; they elected a person who belongs to the system of thought. Next, Machiavelli said that power is the justifying operative for all reason. Reason is power, power is reason. Undoubtedly, this must be analogous to Bush (and America) controlling foreign situations. When America went against the United Nations (after the UN said they found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but nevertheless the US invaded), they showed who had the power, and attempted to install the reason by saying ‘if we don’t do it, then who will?’
More of this political realist thinking led to Machiavelli’s further criticism of mankind, and is echoed in various philosophical works, most notably, Thomas Hobbes' LEVIATHAN, wherein our natural state is constant fear, a frightening place to say the least. This 'fear' led us to give over all of our power, in a so called social contract. The person who we gave our power to is the Leviathan. Again, notice the similarity to Hobbes' natural state (the state of constant fear), and the society we live in today. We constantly fear 'the next September 11', 'the next Exxon Valdez Oil Spill', and more recently 'the next tsunami.'
Are we destined to repeat history? Are we slowly slipping back into the natural state? Where most would say this is detrimental to society, I would encourage it. Where most would say this as a desolate point of view, I choose to be optimistic. To go back into the natural state offers us a chance to start from the beginning. To use an often over used expression, this is our opportunity to 'wipe the slate clean.' Thus, another reason to find an ideal way of life - society where progress will be made, goals will be accomplished, and fear is not the underlying tone of it all. Some say it is unjust to treat people as means to an end; we must treat them as ends in themselves. I must disagree. If the suffering of today's generation will (eventually) lead to something greater, should we not take that risk? But let’s not lose track. The problem is not justice, but instead, it is the problem of society not realizing the chance to start over is soon. Once this realization is made, we can make progress.
To use the old adage to the alcoholic "the first step is to admit you have a problem." Ladies and gentlemen, let's admit we have a problem. And to continue the analogy, let us start as soon as possible on those 12 steps to success.
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