The Art of Politics: The Art of Politics: MachiavelliMachiavelli

Part IPart IStudying Politics as an end in itself, not Studying Politics as an end in itself, not

just as a meansjust as a means

Politics as an ArtPolitics as an Art

Our purpose here is to study politics as an end in Our purpose here is to study politics as an end in itself, not just as a means by which policies are itself, not just as a means by which policies are created, implemented, etc.created, implemented, etc.How to become a politician and navigate politics How to become a politician and navigate politics is akin to becoming a professional athlete, doctor, is akin to becoming a professional athlete, doctor, or other professional.or other professional.Successful politicians help shape the future by Successful politicians help shape the future by

leading the political process leading the political process –– successful policies successful policies are rooted in successful politicians are rooted in successful politicians –– it is talent, it is talent, skill!skill!

Background on MachiavelliBackground on Machiavelliand the Princeand the Prince

MachiavelliMachiavelli’’s political and theoretical writings s political and theoretical writings start off as a magnificent point to begin our start off as a magnificent point to begin our class.class.

MachiavelliMachiavelli’’s work is insightful especially in s work is insightful especially in those situations where there is instability or those situations where there is instability or substantial change at hand. The Prince is a substantial change at hand. The Prince is a playbook, a manual of sorts, for leadership where playbook, a manual of sorts, for leadership where government needs to be created or stabilized.government needs to be created or stabilized.

MachiavelliMachiavelli

Lived 1469Lived 1469--1527 Medici, Italy. 1527 Medici, Italy. Lived an unstable period of the fractured, warLived an unstable period of the fractured, war--prone cityprone city--states of the Italian peninsula (before states of the Italian peninsula (before unification as a single country).unification as a single country).Hence, the key problem to his period is the lack Hence, the key problem to his period is the lack of a unified, stable government for Italy, due to of a unified, stable government for Italy, due to intervention by outside monarchies and the intervention by outside monarchies and the political strength of the Pope. political strength of the Pope.

Machiavelli as first Modern Political Machiavelli as first Modern Political TheoristTheorist

Machiavelli is considered the first political Machiavelli is considered the first political theorist due to rejection of Ancient philosophy, theorist due to rejection of Ancient philosophy, which is characterized by:which is characterized by:

Happiness is goalHappiness is goal-- a well formed society like a a well formed society like a beehivebeehive-- everyone in their place and peaceful. everyone in their place and peaceful. (Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, etc.) (Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, etc.)

Holistic philosophyHolistic philosophy -- including all facets of including all facets of existenceexistence-- ontology ontology

Nature or Gods control fate of humanity.Nature or Gods control fate of humanity.

Machiavelli vs. AncientsMachiavelli vs. Ancients

For the Ancients, politics was simply a means to For the Ancients, politics was simply a means to an end (the ideal polis for the Greeks or for the an end (the ideal polis for the Greeks or for the early Christian Church, the best community man early Christian Church, the best community man can produce reflecting Godcan produce reflecting God’’s wishes.s wishes.

Machiavelli, in contrast, seeks to study politics Machiavelli, in contrast, seeks to study politics for its own sake. Hence, he would support the for its own sake. Hence, he would support the idea of a Department of Political science, idea of a Department of Political science, although the term although the term ““ScienceScience”” was not as was not as developed in his time.developed in his time.

Machiavelli, in contrastMachiavelli, in contrastBelieves that man must control his own destiny, Believes that man must control his own destiny, not God(s) or society. In so doing, man is in not God(s) or society. In so doing, man is in effect not allowing effect not allowing ““naturenature”” to dictate his fate. to dictate his fate. Less focus on good of collectivity over the Less focus on good of collectivity over the individual individual –– preface to Liberal theorists, Locke, etc.preface to Liberal theorists, Locke, etc.Machiavelli employs a methodology based on Machiavelli employs a methodology based on crude inductive reasoning (as opposed to deductive crude inductive reasoning (as opposed to deductive philosophy) and historical philosophy) and historical analysis. However, it is analysis. However, it is not valuenot value--free theory, it is still normative and free theory, it is still normative and prescriptive.prescriptive.

The PrinceThe Prince

Written as a gift for Prince Lorenzo deWritten as a gift for Prince Lorenzo de’’Medici, in order to help win a political job. Medici, in order to help win a political job. Hmmm, sounds like today!!Hmmm, sounds like today!!

The Prince is not as coherent as most The Prince is not as coherent as most theoretical works due to its purpose as a gift theoretical works due to its purpose as a gift and as a playbook of sorts for politicians, but and as a playbook of sorts for politicians, but contains many useful insights. contains many useful insights.

MachiavelliMachiavelli’’s more important work is the s more important work is the Discourses on LivyDiscourses on Livy, which explains how and , which explains how and why to set up a Republic.why to set up a Republic.

How might we apply The Prince to How might we apply The Prince to our world today? our world today?

LetLet’’s extend the Prince to current s extend the Prince to current debates, such as the situation in Iraq.debates, such as the situation in Iraq.

Please feel free to offer comparisons!!Please feel free to offer comparisons!!

Book I on Gov. TypologyBook I on Gov. Typology

People live under two types of governments, People live under two types of governments, principalities and republics.principalities and republics.

““Dominions so acquired are either in the habit of Dominions so acquired are either in the habit of living under a prince or used to being freeliving under a prince or used to being free…”…”

What does this sound like? How does it compare to What does this sound like? How does it compare to our world today?our world today?

Book I on Gov. TypologyBook I on Gov. TypologyThis passage suggests that people are socialized to This passage suggests that people are socialized to

adapt to a certain political culture. Implications?adapt to a certain political culture. Implications?Hence, can Iraqis be expected to support Hence, can Iraqis be expected to support

democracy?democracy?

To what extent can democracy be spread to other To what extent can democracy be spread to other countries, especially by force?countries, especially by force?

Should we be surprised that Iraqis are resisting the Should we be surprised that Iraqis are resisting the US military?US military?

Even if the United States were to leave Iraq with an Even if the United States were to leave Iraq with an elected government, would it stand on its own feet elected government, would it stand on its own feet for long?for long?

Book I on Gov. TypologyBook I on Gov. TypologyThis passage also foreshadows issues in This passage also foreshadows issues in subsequent books of the Prince.subsequent books of the Prince.

……they are acquired either with the arms of others they are acquired either with the arms of others or with oneor with one’’s own,s own,…”…”

“…“…either by fortune or by virtue.either by fortune or by virtue.””

Book IIBook II

This book at first would seem to be of less This book at first would seem to be of less relevance today. But think; what does it really say. relevance today. But think; what does it really say.

Are there hereditary principalities today? Yes, all the Are there hereditary principalities today? Yes, all the Arabian peninsula states except Yemen: Saudi Arabia, Arabian peninsula states except Yemen: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, etcOman, Kuwait, etc..

Others do not call themselves so but have set up blood Others do not call themselves so but have set up blood dynasties: N. Korea, Syria, Argentina (Perons), USA [?] dynasties: N. Korea, Syria, Argentina (Perons), USA [?] (I couldn(I couldn’’t resist the joke, or is it?), et al.t resist the joke, or is it?), et al.

Some hereditary monarchies are now republics: UK, Some hereditary monarchies are now republics: UK, France, Norway, Belgium, Japan, Thailand, etc.France, Norway, Belgium, Japan, Thailand, etc.

Book III Mixed PrincipalitiesBook III Mixed PrincipalitiesMachiavelli says that hereditary principalities are stable sinceMachiavelli says that hereditary principalities are stable since

ruling families are recognized, but were they always that ruling families are recognized, but were they always that way?way?

Now it is becoming clear that what Machiavelli is Now it is becoming clear that what Machiavelli is doing is describing what we today see as a difference doing is describing what we today see as a difference between regimes where there is some popular between regimes where there is some popular control and those where few people are in control.control and those where few people are in control.

Of those where few control, principalities are either Of those where few control, principalities are either hereditary (stable) or mixed (new and likely hereditary (stable) or mixed (new and likely unstable). That is of much relevance today. unstable). That is of much relevance today.

Book III Mixed PrincipalitiesBook III Mixed Principalities

The international system is just full of such The international system is just full of such unstable unstable ““PrincipalitiesPrincipalities””::

Almost all of Africa since decolonization.Almost all of Africa since decolonization.All of Central Asia.All of Central Asia.Majority of Latin America since independence.Majority of Latin America since independence.Large parts of the rest of Asia.Large parts of the rest of Asia.Eastern Europe for most of the past 100 years.Eastern Europe for most of the past 100 years.

Hence, much of the Prince is dedicated to how to Hence, much of the Prince is dedicated to how to turn a Mixed Principality into a Hereditary one, turn a Mixed Principality into a Hereditary one, whereas in the Discourses, his other big work, he whereas in the Discourses, his other big work, he explains how to form a Republic.explains how to form a Republic.

Book III Mixed PrincipalitiesBook III Mixed PrincipalitiesCoups, insurrection, civil war, are a risk where Coups, insurrection, civil war, are a risk where there is a competition for power between there is a competition for power between individuals, groups, ethnicities, tribes, clans, individuals, groups, ethnicities, tribes, clans, ideologies, etc.ideologies, etc.A new leader needs to please people and fend off A new leader needs to please people and fend off enemiesenemies..

Consider the problem of replacing a regime Consider the problem of replacing a regime when one is a citizen of that country; now when one is a citizen of that country; now consider what it takes from the outside. Letconsider what it takes from the outside. Let’’s s discuss Iraq.discuss Iraq.

Example of IraqExample of Iraq

““For even though one may have the strongest For even though one may have the strongest armies, he always needs the support of the armies, he always needs the support of the inhabitants of a province in order to enter it.inhabitants of a province in order to enter it.””(Book III)(Book III)

In comparison to Iraq, Afghanistan appears to be In comparison to Iraq, Afghanistan appears to be more welcoming with fewer people resisting, but more welcoming with fewer people resisting, but some regions are more hospitable than others.some regions are more hospitable than others.

We go onWe go on……

Example of IraqExample of Iraq

““Now I say, that such states which, when Now I say, that such states which, when acquired, are added to an ancient [existing] state acquired, are added to an ancient [existing] state of him who acquires them, are either of the same of him who acquires them, are either of the same province and same language [similar culture, etc.], province and same language [similar culture, etc.], or not. When they are, they may be held with or not. When they are, they may be held with great ease, especially if they are not used to living great ease, especially if they are not used to living freefree……But when one acquires states in a province But when one acquires states in a province disparate in language, customs, and orders, here disparate in language, customs, and orders, here are the difficulties, and here one needs to have are the difficulties, and here one needs to have great fortune and great industry to hold themgreat fortune and great industry to hold them…”…”

Example of IraqExample of Iraq

Again, it may have been very naAgain, it may have been very naïïve to expect ve to expect that Iraq would not rebel, at least according to that Iraq would not rebel, at least according to Machiavelli, and that the United States could Machiavelli, and that the United States could control the situation without extensive Iraqi control the situation without extensive Iraqi help. The Bush administration understood help. The Bush administration understood this last point, but not necessarily the first.this last point, but not necessarily the first.

The key to success in Iraq is that Iraqis need The key to success in Iraq is that Iraqis need to govern themselves, but if they do will it be a to govern themselves, but if they do will it be a democracy, or even stable?democracy, or even stable?

Example of IraqExample of Iraq

Machiavelli even suggests that the Machiavelli even suggests that the conquering prince go live there. conquering prince go live there.

Should President Bush or other Cabinet members Should President Bush or other Cabinet members move to Iraq?move to Iraq?

Another option is to have your citizens Another option is to have your citizens colonize the conquered land and go and colonize the conquered land and go and rebuild. rebuild.

While the US has attempted to rebuild Iraq, I am While the US has attempted to rebuild Iraq, I am not sure we could find many volunteers.not sure we could find many volunteers.

Example of IraqExample of Iraq

What is the other option?What is the other option?Crush those that resist with brutal power. It Crush those that resist with brutal power. It takes more than takes more than shock and aweshock and awe, it takes, it takes kill and kill and killkill to instill fear and awe.to instill fear and awe.

Even then, weak countries dedicated to their Even then, weak countries dedicated to their cause have thrown out imperial powers:cause have thrown out imperial powers:

France in Algeria, IndochinaFrance in Algeria, Indochina

Soviet Union in AfghanistanSoviet Union in Afghanistan

USA in VietnamUSA in Vietnam

Use of Brutal (necessary) Force by a Use of Brutal (necessary) Force by a DemocracyDemocracy

Q.Q. Can the United States, as a democracy, use Can the United States, as a democracy, use the brutality necessary to win in Iraq, or will the brutality necessary to win in Iraq, or will Americans inevitably become repulsed at Americans inevitably become repulsed at the violence and abandon Iraq?the violence and abandon Iraq?

What is moral?What is moral?If we impose regime change, topple Saddam, in If we impose regime change, topple Saddam, in

the name of morality, can we dispose of the name of morality, can we dispose of morality to win?morality to win?

Do the ends justify the means?Do the ends justify the means?

Use of Brutal (Use of Brutal (‘‘necessarynecessary’’) Force by a ) Force by a DemocracyDemocracy

““...men should either be caressed or eliminated, ...men should either be caressed or eliminated, because they avenge themselves for slight offenses because they avenge themselves for slight offenses but cannot do so for grave ones; so the offense but cannot do so for grave ones; so the offense one does to a man should be such that one does one does to a man should be such that one does not fear revenge for it.not fear revenge for it.””

The French lost Algeria, and the USA lost South The French lost Algeria, and the USA lost South Vietnam because these wars became very costly Vietnam because these wars became very costly and perceived as immoral by many.and perceived as immoral by many.

Can we win with this?Can we win with this?

To what extent do you believe non-Americans are convinced this is isolated. Even if isolated, the ability to manipulate this is a generous present to the enemies of the USA.

Other points of Book III on disorderOther points of Book III on disorder

The last few pages of Book III are interesting The last few pages of Book III are interesting because they advise the Prince to crush rebellions because they advise the Prince to crush rebellions that in the end will not be avoided. that in the end will not be avoided.

In Iraq, did the lack of proper plans for In Iraq, did the lack of proper plans for occupation and slow response to the growing occupation and slow response to the growing resistance allow these terrorists, jihadists, etc., to resistance allow these terrorists, jihadists, etc., to grow in strength?grow in strength?

Book IV: The New StateBook IV: The New State

This book mostly focuses on whether a state This book mostly focuses on whether a state conquered will have an autocracy, rule by one conquered will have an autocracy, rule by one and his servants or by a monarchy that and his servants or by a monarchy that includes an aristocracy.includes an aristocracy.

What is notable is that a Republic does not What is notable is that a Republic does not seem to be an option.seem to be an option.

Why is that the case?Why is that the case?

Book IV: The New StateBook IV: The New State

For Machiavelli, a recently conquered state, or For Machiavelli, a recently conquered state, or new ones in general, may be too prone to civil new ones in general, may be too prone to civil violence and instability, necessitating that people violence and instability, necessitating that people be bought off or crushed.be bought off or crushed.

What would Machiavelli suggest today?What would Machiavelli suggest today?Are there alternative policies today that might Are there alternative policies today that might work, or does Machiavelli capture for us a work, or does Machiavelli capture for us a classical problem?classical problem?