The Art of Politics: The Art of Politics: MachiavelliMachiavelli

Part IPart IStudying Politics as an end in Studying Politics as an end in

itself, not just as a meansitself, not just as a means

Politics as an ArtPolitics as an Art Our purpose here is to study politics as Our purpose here is to study politics as

an end in itself, not just as a means by an end in itself, not just as a means by which policies are created, implemented, which policies are created, implemented, etc.etc.

How to become a politician and navigate How to become a politician and navigate politics is akin to becoming a professional politics is akin to becoming a professional athlete, doctor, or other professional.athlete, doctor, or other professional.

Successful politicians help shape the Successful politicians help shape the future by leading the political process – future by leading the political process – successful policies are rooted in successful policies are rooted in successful politicians – it is talent, skill!successful politicians – it is talent, skill!

Background on MachiavelliBackground on Machiavelliand the Princeand the Prince

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

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

MachiavelliMachiavelli

Lived 1469-1527 Medici, Italy. Lived 1469-1527 Medici, Italy. Lived an unstable period of the fractured, Lived an unstable period of the fractured,

war-prone city-states of the Italian war-prone city-states of the Italian peninsula (before unification as a single peninsula (before unification as a single country).country).

Hence, the key problem to his period is Hence, the key problem to his period is the lack of a unified, stable government the lack of a unified, stable government for Italy, due to intervention by outside for Italy, due to intervention by outside monarchies and the political strength of monarchies and the political strength of the Pope. the Pope.

Machiavelli as first Modern Machiavelli as first Modern Political TheoristPolitical Theorist

Machiavelli is considered the first Machiavelli is considered the first political theorist due to rejection of political theorist due to rejection of Ancient philosophy, which is Ancient philosophy, which is characterized by:characterized by: Happiness is goalHappiness is goal- a well formed society - a well formed society

like a beehive- everyone in their place like a beehive- everyone in their place and peaceful. (Plato, Aristotle, and peaceful. (Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, etc.) Augustine, Aquinas, etc.)

Holistic philosophyHolistic philosophy - including all facets - including all facets of existence- ontology of existence- 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 For the Ancients, politics was simply a

means to an end (the ideal polis for the means to an end (the ideal polis for the Greeks or for the early Christian Greeks or for the early Christian Church, the best community man can Church, the best community man can produce reflecting God’s wishes.produce reflecting God’s wishes.

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

Machiavelli, in contrastMachiavelli, in contrast Believes that man must control his own Believes that man must control his own

destiny, not God(s) or society. In so doing, destiny, not God(s) or society. In so doing, man is in effect not allowing “nature” to man is in effect not allowing “nature” to dictate his fate. dictate his fate.

Less focus on good of collectivity over the Less focus on good of collectivity over the individual – preface to Liberal theorists, individual – preface to Liberal theorists, Locke, etc.Locke, etc.

Machiavelli employs a methodology based on Machiavelli employs a methodology based on crude inductive reasoning (as opposed to crude inductive reasoning (as opposed to deductive philosophy) and historical deductive philosophy) and historical analysis. However, it is not value-free analysis. However, it is not value-free theory, it is still normative and prescriptive. theory, it is still normative and prescriptive.

The PrinceThe Prince Written as a gift for Prince Lorenzo Written as a gift for Prince Lorenzo

de’ Medici, in order to help win a de’ Medici, in order to help win a political job. Hmmm, sounds like political job. Hmmm, sounds like today!!today!!

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

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

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

Let’s extend the Prince to Let’s extend the Prince to current debates, such as the current debates, such as the

situation in Iraq.situation in Iraq.

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

Book I on Gov. TypologyBook I on Gov. TypologyPeople live under two types of People live under two types of

governments, principalities and governments, principalities and republics.republics. ““Dominions so acquired are either in Dominions so acquired are either in

the habit of living under a prince or the habit of living under a prince or used to being free…”used to being free…”

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

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

socialized to adapt to a certain political socialized to adapt to a certain political culture. Implications?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 what extent can democracy be spread

to other countries, especially by force?to other countries, especially by force? Should we be surprised that Iraqis are Should we be surprised that Iraqis are

resisting the US military?resisting the US military? Even if the United States were to leave Even if the United States were to leave

Iraq with an elected government, would Iraq with an elected government, would it stand on its own feet for long?it stand on its own feet for long?

Book I on Gov. TypologyBook I on Gov. Typology This passage also foreshadows issues This passage also foreshadows issues

in subsequent books of the Prince.in subsequent books of the Prince.

……they are acquired either with the they are acquired either with the arms of others or with one’s own,…”arms of others or with one’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 relevance today. But think; what does it really say. really say.

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

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

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

Book III Mixed Book III Mixed PrincipalitiesPrincipalities

Machiavelli says that hereditary principalities Machiavelli says that hereditary principalities are stable since ruling families are are stable since ruling families are recognized, but were they always that way?recognized, but were they always that way?

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

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

Book III Mixed Book III Mixed PrincipalitiesPrincipalities

The international system is just full of such The international system is just full of such unstable “Principalities”:unstable “Principalities”: 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 Majority of Latin America since

independence.independence. Large parts of the rest of Asia.Large parts of the rest of Asia. Eastern Europe for most of the past 100 Eastern Europe for most of the past 100

years.years.

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

Book III Mixed Book III Mixed PrincipalitiesPrincipalities

Coups, insurrection, civil war, are a risk Coups, insurrection, civil war, are a risk where there is a competition for power where there is a competition for power between individuals, groups, ethnicities, between individuals, groups, ethnicities, tribes, clans, ideologies, etc.tribes, clans, ideologies, etc.

A new leader needs to please people and A new leader needs to please people and fend off enemiesfend off enemies..

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

Example of IraqExample of Iraq ““For even though one may have the For even though one may have the

strongest armies, he always needs the strongest armies, he always needs the support of the inhabitants of a province support of the inhabitants of a province in order to enter it.” (Book III)in order to enter it.” (Book III)

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

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

Example of IraqExample of Iraq Again, it may have been very naïve to Again, it may have been very naïve to

expect that Iraq would not rebel, at least expect that Iraq would not rebel, at least according to Machiavelli, and that the according to Machiavelli, and that the United States could control the situation United States could control the situation without extensive Iraqi help. The Bush without extensive Iraqi help. The Bush administration understood this last administration understood this last point, but not necessarily the first.point, but not necessarily the first.

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

Cabinet members move to Iraq?Cabinet members move to Iraq?

Another option is to have your Another option is to have your citizens colonize the conquered citizens colonize the conquered land and go and rebuild. land and go and rebuild. While the US has attempted to While the US has attempted to

rebuild Iraq, I am not sure we could rebuild Iraq, I am not sure we could find many volunteers.find many volunteers.

Example of IraqExample of Iraq What is the other option?What is the other option?

Crush those that resist with brutal Crush those that resist with brutal power. It takes more than power. It takes more than shock and shock and aweawe, it takes, it takes kill and killkill and kill to instill fear to instill fear and awe.and awe.

Even then, weak countries dedicated Even then, weak countries dedicated to their cause have thrown out to their cause have thrown out imperial powers: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 Use of Brutal (necessary) Force by a Democracyby a Democracy

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

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

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

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

Use of Brutal (‘necessary’) Use of Brutal (‘necessary’) Force by a DemocracyForce by a Democracy

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

The French lost Algeria, and the USA lost The French lost Algeria, and the USA lost South Vietnam because these wars became South Vietnam because these wars became very costly and perceived as immoral by very costly and perceived as immoral by many.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 Other points of Book III on disorderdisorder

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

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

Book IV: The New StateBook IV: The New State This book mostly focuses on This book mostly focuses on

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

What is notable is that a Republic What is notable is that a Republic does not seem to be an option.does not 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 For Machiavelli, a recently conquered

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

What would Machiavelli suggest today?What would Machiavelli suggest today? Are there alternative policies today that Are there alternative policies today that

might work, or does Machiavelli might work, or does Machiavelli capture for us a classical problem?capture for us a classical problem?