What was the most outrageous statement/idea that Machiavelli wrote? Was he right? Why or why not? Taking the same statement, would Machiavelli's philosphy apply today? Why or why not?
While I was reading Machiavelli's The Prince, I was struck by the level of satire in the book. From what I had heard of the book, I expected it to be serious in its outrageous claims, but instead I felt like Machiavelli was making all those outrageous claims to support the opposite of what he was saying. I am convinced that the majority of his work was intended to be satirical, not to be taken seriously.
One of the phrases that jumped out at me most was "...it is perfectly possible to be feared and not hated...." (page 46). The phrase was in context of how a people should feel about their Prince, and how crucial it is for a Prince to maintain rule by inspiring fear in the people while still being loved.
This idea was meant to appear completely ridiculous. Love and fear cannot exist in the same place, because the two are totally opposite. There is a way to maintain order and respect without involving fear. True loyalty is always motivated by love rather than fear. This would not have worked efficiently in Machiavelli's day, nor does it work in our day. We can look at a variety of systems of government throughout the world in the last few centuries, and see that the ones that were/are most successful had citizens motivated by a love for their country rather than a fear of government. Oppression, as well as militaristic rule, leaves citizens in fear of their lives and freedom. Countries with governments such as these have most often been toppled from within, by citizens who were so afraid of losing their rights or so tired of not having rights that they rose up and completely disintegrated their leaders, often violently.
I agree with you. I think think that Machiavelli could have definitely been satirical when discussing his points. I like how you give evidence in our day that shows how governments who work with love of the country versus the fear its citizens have work better.
ReplyDeleteHuh. I hadn't seen it as satirical. But the way you explain it, I can see that. And it's true that feared governments don't last that long-look at Nazi Germany and Communist Russia and China. Granted, they also used fanatical worship of some supreme ruler/dictator that could be seen as love, but even then it didn't last, and he was the sort of guy who would probably stab you in the back at the first opportunity. So it wasn't genuine affectionate love. And yes, beloved countries probably last longer.
ReplyDeleteI think Love and fear are almost opposite emotions, but can exist. I know that when training a dog, the dog must fear you and respect you to love you. Weird comparison, but I think that people like dogs need both positive and negative reinforcements to learn and to grow. I too believe that Machiavelli took a satirical tone while writing. I think his words are truthful, but at the same almost ironic as well.
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