Machiavelli
Essay Preview: Machiavelli
Report this essay
The role of a leader in any country must understand he is the most important person in that country. It’s his responsibility to make sure his country is running smoothly and the people are accepting his system of governing. Even though a leader will not be able to have all of his people accept his system, and his people Some leaders lack certain characteristics to run a country, which becomes apparent in there first few months of governing. The lack of good characteristics may ultimately lead to the downfall of your rule. It may never be agreed upon whether leadership arises from a set of innate characteristics (“leaders are born”) or, rather, from observable actions (“leaders are made”). Some basic leadership qualities, however, seem almost common, no matter the leader: There are three main things that make a good leader. The first is that a leader should know whether its better to be loved than to be feared or vice-versa. The second is that he must do enough to avoid being despised and hated, and thirdly, a leader must understand the importance of keeping his word. Based on my opinion of what characteristics a good leader should have, I believe that Machiavelli’s ideas better match my views because he knows whether it is better to be loved than to be feared, he does enough to avoid being despised and hated, and lastly he understands the importance of keeping his word.
“Is it better to be loved than feared, or vice versa?” Machiavelli answers his own question, arguing that a prince is much safer being feared than being loved. Inducing fear upon his subjects with cruelty will keep them united and loyal. Those who are fearful of a person of any authority are more inclined not to cross the boundary of disrespect, for fear of punishment. It is also important that his subjects do not hate a person who desires to be feared. Machiavelli uses examples of past leaders who have made themselves feared among their subjects, making a strong argument that being feared is safer than being loved; however, does this necessarily mean that its better? Being feared has many consequences. Is this person who desires to be feared capable of trusting others? Most likely not. He knows that there is a possibility that his fear tactics of cruelty can backfire, so he has to keep an eye on those he considers his close friends or advisors. How can a feared person have any friends, or ones to depend on? Friendships and relationships are important assets to anyones life, but they require trust amongst each other. We are always interacting with others. Mutualism among others is essential to survive in this world. We depend on family to feed and shelter us. We depend on our government officials to protect our country. We depend on our friends and loved ones to comfort and encourage us. To a person of authority, a friend can be a good advisor who has their best interest at heart. Along with trust, true friendship consists of loyalty and honesty. Fear can make a person loyal; but if one were feared by his or her friends, would their friends be honest with him? In reality, the answer would be no. Their friends would say and do things for him out of loyalty, but not out of honesty. Once a person gets over their fear of their ruler, then they can boldly cross those boundaries and could even overthrow them of their power, becoming disloyal and detached from their reign. Fear has the ability of failing, because in most cases it does not last forever. However, love does; and this is the reason why being loved is better than being feared. We are all familiar with the many famous saying about love: “Love conquers all”. This saying is so very familiar that they have turned into clichД©s with weak meanings that are often taken for granted. The word love is sometimes overused and used to persuade or make people feel better. This overuse and mistreatment of love is the main reason why few people believe in its power, and probably the reason Machiavelli poses his argument that fear is better than love. But when love is used or displayed in a righteous way, and not with malice, it can be a powerful tool and do some wonderful things. Love is much stronger than fear Machiavelli also perpetuates this misconception that a person who makes him loved allows others to take advantage of them. A person who wants to be merciful and willing to please anyone with no discretion is not displaying love. That could be considered an act of fear. Parents who do not consistently discipline their children are often fearful of their childrens reactions, afraid that they will lose respect for them. But a parent who truly loves their child will openly correct them. Love does not equate to permissiveness; it is actually the opposite. Love brings people closer. Fear scares people away. Why wont anyone think using fear is the better way to go? I do agree with Machiavellis point that fear is safer than love, but just because its safer or easier does not make it better. It is true that being loved is harder, but the outcome is so much more rewarding.
“On Avoiding Being Despised and Hated” Machiavelli indicates that the prince must avoid doing things, which will cause him to be hated. Not taking away property, and not appearing greedy can accomplish this. On the other hand, good works can sometimes cause hatred, if the people, nobles, or soldiery is corrupt. Thus, there are some instances where doing good is not advisable. A leader must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things, which will make him hated; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches. It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain. And when neither their property nor honor is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways. It makes him disgraceful to be considered fickle from all of which a leader should guard himself as from a rock; and he should use power to show in his actions greatness, courage, and strength, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him. A leader is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided it is well known that he is an excellent