POLITICAL THEORY - Niccolò Machiavelli

Summary

Niccolo Machiavelli, a 15th-century political theorist, argued that effective politics often demands actions that conflict with traditional morality. His works, 'The Prince' and 'The Discourses,' explore the challenges of balancing state security with ethical leadership, suggesting that leaders must sometimes employ ruthless tactics for the greater good.

Takeaways

• 😠 Politicians are often perceived as sly and dishonest, but Niccolo Machiavelli's work suggests we should not be surprised by this.
• 📚 Machiavelli, a 15th-century political advisor, believed that politicians are not necessarily immoral for their manipulative tactics, but rather effective in defending the state.
• 🏰 A good politician, according to Machiavelli, is one who can enrich and bring honor to the state, even if they employ darker methods.
• 🤔 Being nice is a general virtue, but citizens need effective rulers more than they need nice ones.
• 👶 Machiavelli was born in Florence in 1469, with a background in law, and experienced significant career ups and downs due to political turmoil.
• 📖 His major works, 'The Prince' and 'The Discourses,' address the conflict between being a good politician and a good person in a traditional Christian sense.
• 🛡️ A prince's primary responsibility is to defend the state, requiring both military prowess and astute management of reputation and those around him.
• 😨 Machiavelli suggests that a prince should err on the side of being feared rather than loved, as fear is a more effective tool for maintaining control.
• 🙏 His contemporaries advocated for Christian virtues in leadership, but Machiavelli argued for a separation between Christian ethics and effective governance.
• 🔥 The case of Girolamo Savonorola illustrates the downfall of a 'good' Christian leader due to his inability to maintain power in the face of corruption.
• 🗡️ Machiavelli introduced the concept of 'virtu,' which combines wisdom, strategy, and when necessary, ruthlessness, even to the point of 'criminal virtue' for the state's sake.
• 👨‍🦰 Cesare Borgia is an example of a leader who understood the balance between being tough and maintaining control without excessive cruelty.
• 🚫 The Catholic Church banned Machiavelli's works for two centuries due to his controversial views on the incompatibility of Christian virtues with effective leadership.
• 🤝 Machiavelli's insights are still relevant today, highlighting the need for difficult ethical trade-offs in various fields, including politics and business.

Q & A

Why should we remember Niccolo Machiavelli's works when we are critical of politicians?

Machiavelli's works remind us that politicians are not necessarily immoral for using tactics like lying and maneuvering, but rather they should be effective in defending, enriching, and bringing honor to the state.

What was Niccolo Machiavelli's profession before he became a political theorist?

Niccolo Machiavelli was a political advisor and served as a secretary for the city of Florence before he became known for his political theories.

How did Florence's political situation during Machiavelli's time influence his views on politics?

The political instability and turmoil in Florence, including the expulsion and return of the Medici family, led Machiavelli to believe that a good politician must be capable of navigating complex political landscapes effectively.

What are the two major works by Machiavelli that define his legacy?

Machiavelli's two major works are 'The Prince' and 'The Discourses,' in which he addressed the challenges of balancing good politics with traditional Christian ethics.

According to Machiavelli, what is the primary responsibility of a good prince?

The primary responsibility of a good prince, according to Machiavelli, is to defend the state from both external and internal threats and to ensure stable governance.

What does Machiavelli suggest about the balance between being loved and feared by a prince?

Machiavelli suggests that while it would be ideal for a prince to be both loved and obeyed, it is more practical for them to err on the side of inspiring terror to keep people in check.

How did the case of Girolamo Savonorola illustrate Machiavelli's views on Christian ethics and governance?

Girolamo Savonorola, a fervent Christian who briefly ruled Florence, failed to maintain power due to his adherence to Christian ethics, which Machiavelli believed was incompatible with effective governance.

What is Machiavelli's concept of 'virtu' for politicians?

Machiavelli's concept of 'virtu' involves qualities such as wisdom, strategy, strength, bravery, and when necessary, ruthlessness, which are essential for a leader to effectively govern.

What criteria did Machiavelli provide for the use of 'criminal virtue' by leaders?

Machiavelli stated that any violence or cruelty by a leader must be strictly necessary for the security of the state, done swiftly, and not repeated too often to avoid a reputation for mindless brutality.

How did Cesare Borgia exemplify Machiavelli's concept of virtu?

Cesare Borgia demonstrated virtu by being tough and ruthless when necessary, but also knowing when to stop the violence and focus on policies that would benefit the people and maintain his rule.

Why did the Catholic Church ban Machiavelli's works for 200 years?

The Catholic Church banned Machiavelli's works because he argued that being a good Christian was incompatible with being a good leader, which was a forceful challenge to their views on ethics and governance.

What does Machiavelli suggest is the price of dealing with the world as it is, rather than as we wish it to be?

Machiavelli suggests that dealing with the world as it is may require making ethical trade-offs, such as sacrificing kindness for practical effectiveness, which is the price of navigating the real world's complexities.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Machiavelli's View on Politics

Machiavelli, a late 15th-century political theorist, argued that politicians should not be deemed immoral for lying and dissembling. He believed that the primary responsibility of a good politician is to defend and enrich the state, which may require employing darker arts. Machiavelli emphasized that effectiveness is more crucial than niceness in governance. Born in Florence in 1469, Machiavelli experienced various political upheavals and career reversals. Despite his political failures, he is remembered for his works, 'The Prince' and 'The Discourses,' where he addressed the inherent conflict between being a good politician and a good Christian.

05:06

🛡️ The Traits of a Good Leader According to Machiavelli

Machiavelli proposed that a good leader must defend the state from threats and ensure stable governance. A ruler should be perceived as strict yet reasonable and should prefer being feared over being loved to maintain order. Machiavelli criticized the Christian virtues of mercy and generosity, which he believed were incompatible with effective leadership. He highlighted the example of Girolamo Savonarola, a Christian ruler whose regime fell due to its inherent weakness. Instead, Machiavelli advocated for 'virtu,' a mix of wisdom, strategy, strength, bravery, and ruthlessness, to maintain power and stability.

🔪 The Concept of 'Criminal Virtue'

Machiavelli introduced the idea of 'criminal virtue,' where leaders must sometimes engage in ruthless acts for the state's security. He advised that any necessary violence should be swift and not repeated frequently to avoid a reputation for brutality. Machiavelli admired Cesare Borgia for his effective use of controlled violence, followed by positive actions like tax cuts and public festivals, to maintain control and support. This approach demonstrated the balance between cruelty and benevolence, which Machiavelli deemed essential for successful leadership.

⚖️ The Legacy and Relevance of Machiavelli's Teachings

Machiavelli's works were banned by the Catholic Church for 200 years due to his assertion that Christian goodness is incompatible with political leadership. However, his insights remain valuable beyond politics, emphasizing the necessity of making ethical trade-offs in various fields, such as business or family life. Machiavelli argued that dealing with the world as it is, rather than as we wish it to be, often requires sacrificing kindness for practicality. His focus on the tension between effectiveness and niceness continues to provoke both admiration and criticism.

Keywords

💡Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli was a 15th-century political advisor and theorist known for his pragmatic approach to politics. He is central to the video's theme, which explores the conflict between traditional morality and effective governance. The video mentions his works 'The Prince' and 'The Discourses,' highlighting his belief that a good politician may need to act in ways that contradict traditional Christian ethics to achieve political stability and security.

💡Politicians

The term 'politicians' is used in the script to discuss the general perception of them as sly and dishonest. It ties into the video's theme by illustrating the public's often negative view of political figures and setting the stage for Machiavelli's alternative perspective on what makes a good politician.

💡Immorality

Immorality is discussed in the context of political behavior, suggesting that politicians are often seen as immoral due to their lying and maneuvering. The video challenges this view by referencing Machiavelli's argument that a politician's morality should be judged by their ability to protect and enrich the state, rather than by traditional moral standards.

💡Effectiveness

Effectiveness is a key concept in the video, defining what citizens need from their rulers more than mere niceness. It is used to contrast with traditional virtues, suggesting that a ruler's ability to govern well, even through morally questionable means, is more important than being seen as a 'good person' in a conventional sense.

💡State

The 'state' is a recurring concept in the script, representing the entity that a good politician, according to Machiavelli, must protect and enrich. It is central to the video's theme, as it is the ultimate goal that justifies the sometimes ruthless actions of a leader.

💡Reputation

Reputation is discussed in terms of how a prince should be perceived by his subjects. It is tied to the theme of the video by emphasizing the importance of a leader's image in maintaining control and respect, without being seen as either too lenient or excessively cruel.

💡Virtù

Virtù, an Italian term used by Machiavelli, encompasses qualities like wisdom, strategy, and bravery, and when necessary, ruthlessness. It is central to the video's message, illustrating Machiavelli's belief in the complex nature of leadership virtues that extend beyond traditional morality.

💡Terror

The concept of 'terror' is introduced when discussing whether a prince should be loved or feared. The video uses this term to highlight Machiavelli's view that inspiring fear can be a more effective tool for maintaining control and obedience than love.

💡Christian Ethics

Christian ethics are contrasted with Machiavellian political theory in the video. The script uses the example of Girolamo Savonorola to illustrate the conflict between Christian virtues and effective governance, suggesting that adhering strictly to Christian ethics can lead to political failure.

💡Cesare Borgia

Cesare Borgia is cited in the script as an example of a leader who embodied Machiavelli's concept of virtù. His actions in Cesena, though brutal, are presented as a necessary display of power to maintain order and are used to illustrate the video's theme of the sometimes harsh realities of effective leadership.

💡Ethical Trade-offs

Ethical trade-offs are discussed in the context of making difficult decisions in various fields, not just politics. The video uses this concept to extend Machiavelli's insights beyond politics, suggesting that the necessity of balancing effectiveness with morality is a common challenge in many areas of life.

Highlights

Niccolo Machiavelli argued that politicians are not necessarily immoral for lying and maneuvering, but should be effective in defending and enriching the state.

Machiavelli believed a good politician is not just friendly and honest, but also knows how to use darker tactics when necessary for the state's benefit.

Being nice is a virtue, but citizens need effective rulers who may employ darker arts for governance.

Machiavelli experienced political instability in Florence and career reversals, yet he authored influential works despite being a failed politician.

Machiavelli's works, THE PRINCE and THE DISCOURSES, address the difficulty of being both a good politician and a good person in a traditional Christian sense.

A good prince's responsibility is to defend the state from threats and ensure stable governance, managing reputation and those around him effectively.

Machiavelli suggested that a prince should inspire terror to keep people in check, rather than just being loved and obeyed.

Christian contemporaries of Machiavelli believed good politicians should be merciful and peaceful, aligning with Christian ethics.

Machiavelli disagreed, highlighting the incompatibility between Christian ethics and effective governance, using the case of Girolamo Savonorola.

Savonorola's regime in Florence was短暂 and ended in his torture and execution, illustrating the fate of those who are too good in politics according to Machiavelli.

Machiavelli introduced the concept of virtu for politicians, encompassing wisdom, strategy, strength, bravery, and ruthlessness when needed.

He described 'Criminal Virtue' as the ability of leaders to be cruel for the state's sake while remaining good leaders.

Machiavelli provided criteria for when violence is acceptable for a leader, emphasizing its necessity, swiftness, and avoidance of repetition to prevent a brutal reputation.

Cesare Borgia was an example of a leader who knew how to be tough without overdoing it, as approved by Machiavelli.

Machiavelli's insights are important for non-politicians and atheists as well, as they address the tension between effectiveness and kindness in various fields of life.

His work was banned by the Catholic Church for 200 years due to its argument against the compatibility of Christian ethics with good leadership.

Machiavelli emphasized the need to make ethical trade-offs and difficult decisions in politics, business, and family life for practical effectiveness.

The world has had a mixed view of Machiavelli for his focus on the tension between effectiveness, kindness, and niceness.

Transcripts

We're often appalled by how sly and dishonest many politicians are,

but we shouldn't be. In moods like this

we need to remember and read the works of Niccolo Machiavelli.

A late 15th century political advisor and political theorist

who argued that we shouldn't think that politicians are imoral

and simply bad for lying and dissembling and maneuvering.

A good politician, in Machiavelli's remarkable view, isn't one who's friendly and honest and kind.

It's someone, however occasionally dark and underhand they might be,

who knows how to defend, enrich and bring honor to the state,

which is also an extremely important goal.

Being nice may well be a virtue in general, but what citizens most need from their rulers

is effectiveness, which may well call upon some darker arts.

Once we understand this basic requirement,

we stand to be less disappointed and clearer about what we want from our politicians.

Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence in 1469.

His father was a lawyer

And so Machiavelli received an extensive formal education

and got his first job as secretary for the city of florence

But, soon after his appointment Florence exploded politically

And expelled the Medici family who'd ruled it for 60 years

And suffered decades of political instability and turmoil

As a consequence, Machiavelli experienced a series of carrier reversals.

Over just a few decades, he went from being an important diplomat to a semi-successful general, to an enemy of the state - tortured and then exiled when he Medici returned to power.

Although Machiavelli was rather a failed politician, he can be remembered as a truly great man because of the two works - THE PRINCE, and THE DISCOURSES.

In them he addressed a central problem of politics: it is almost impossible to be both a good politician and a good person in a traditional christian sense.

Machiavelli proposed that the overwhelming responsibility

of a good prince is to defend the state from external and internal threats.

To stable governance.

This means, he must know how to fight but more importantly he must know about the reputation and the management of those around him.

People should neither think he is soft and easy to disobey.

Nor should they find him so cruel that he disgust his society.

He should seem unapproachably strict

,but reasonable. When Machiavelli turned to the question

of whether is was better for a Prince to be loved or feared?

He wrote that while it 'll be theoretically wonderful for a leader to be both loved and obeyed.

a Prince should always err on the side of inspiring terror.

For this is ultimately what keeps people in check.

Machiavelli christian contemporaries had suggested that princes should be merciful, peaceful, generous, and tolerant.

They thought that being a good politician was. in short, the same as being a good christian.

But Machiavelli argued differently.

He asked his readers to dwell on the incompatibility between

Christian ethics and good governance

And particularly referred to the case of Girolamo Savonorola. Savonorola was a dominican friar

, a fervent idealistic christian, who'd briefly come to be the ruler of Florence in 1494.

He'd come to power promising the city of God on earth.He preached against the excesses and tyranny of Medici government.

and even managed to rule Florence as a peaceful, democratic, and relatively honest state.

However, Savonorola success couldn't last

because,in Machiavelli's view, itwas based on the weakness

that always attends being good in a christian sense.

it was not long before his regime became threat to the corrupt Pope Alexander.

whose henchman captured and tortured Savonarola.

Hung him in the center of Florence and burnt the body before the eyes of a vengeful citizenry.

This, in Machiavelli eyes, is what tends to happen to the nice guys in politics.

Rather than follow this unfortunate christian example, Machiavelli suggested that a leader

would do well to make judicious use of what the called

virtu (VIRTUE). Machiavelli concept of virtu for politicians involves

wisdom, strategy, strength, bravery, and when necessary, ruthlessness.

In fact at one point Machiavelli uses the deliciously paradoxical phrase ' Criminal Virtue'

to describe the necessary ability of leaders

to be cruel in the name of the state , and yet, still good as leaders.

Machiavelli provided some criteria for what constitutes the right occasion for bit of criminal virtue.

Any violence must be strictly necessary for the security of the state.

; it must be done swiftly, often at night - counsel Machiavelli, and it should be repeated too often

lest the reputation for mindless brutality builds up.

Machiavelli gave the example of his contemporary, Cesare Borgia,

Whom he admired as someone who knew how to be tough, but not too tough that we might question the criteria Machiavelli used.

when Cesare conquered the city of Cesena, he ordered one of his

mercenary, ramirida okow, to bring order to the region which ramiro did through swift

and brutal ways - Men were beheaded in front of their wives and children; property was ceased; traitors were castrated.

Cesare then turned onto okow himself and had him sliced in half and placed in public square. just to

remind the town's people who the true boss was.

but then, as Machiavelli approvingly noted, that was enough blood shed. Cesare moved on to cut taxes,imported cheap grain,

build a theater, and organized a series of beautiful festival to keep people from dwelling on unfortunate memories.

The catholic church banned Machiavelli work for 200 years because of the force with which he had argued that being a good christian was

was incompatible with being a good leader.

but even for atheist and those of us not politicians, Machiavelli's insights are important

he writes that we can't be good at (or for) all things

Not only because of our limited ability and resources

but also because of conflicts within moral codes.

some of the fields we choose; if not politics then perhaps business or, family life may require

what we evasively called 'difficult decisions'. By which we really mean 'ethical trade-offs'.

we may have to sacrifice neo-christian visions of kindness for the sake of practical effectiveness.

We may have to lie in order to keep or relationship afloat.

We may have to ignore the feeling of certain employees to keep a business going.

And that, insists Machiavelli, is the price of dealing with the world as it is, and not as we feel it should be.

The world has continued to love and hate Machiavelli in equal measure

for insisting on focusing our attention on the uncomfortable tension between two things we love

and always want to have together but perhaps can't - effectiveness and kindness.

And Niceness.