George Bush as a Machiavellian Leader

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George Bush as a Machiavellian Leader

George Bush and Niccolo Machiavelli are two very influential political figures that share some similar ideals. Machiavelli's work was never intended to be applied to republics, or a democratic government. The advice written in The Prince would have likely been applied in the time of absolute government, when countries were ruled by one leader. It is a work which, as Machiavelli himself says that his philosophy is only applied to principalities, or what we call dictatorships in modern times.

Elected from the state of Texas, George Bush is a strictly right-winged conservative. When he was governor, Bush showed no clemency for the death row inmates which resulted in a record number of executions. He severely restricted women’s rights in Texas by legislating strict guidelines for abortion, making it very difficult for women to exercise their first amendment right. In my opinion, Bush’s views greatly reflect the tactics described by Machiavelli in The Prince. President Bush’s outlooks on nuclear power, war in Iraq, Social Security, and appointing Federal Judges that share his ethics compares well with Machiavelli’s philosophies.

The most astounding aspect of The Prince is Machiavelli’s view that princes may indeed, be cruel and dishonest if their ultimate aim is for the good of the state. It is not only acceptable but necessary to lie, to use torture, and to walk over other states and cities. Machiavellianism is defined as “A political doctrine of Machiavelli, which denies the relevance of morality in political affairs and holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing and maintaining political power (Def.)” This implies that in the conquest for power, the ends justify the means. This is the basis of Machiavellianism. The priority for the power holder is to keep the security of the state regardless of the morality of the means. He accepts that these things are in and of themselves morally wrong, but he points out that the consequences of failure, the ruin of states and the destruction of cities, can be far worse. Machiavelli strongly emphasizes that princes should not hesitate to use immoral methods to achieve power, if power is necessary for security and survival.

President Bush proposes to limit the expansion of nuclear power countries.

“Last Friday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin pooh...

... middle of paper ...

.../www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20050221-1419-cnsbush.html

Def- Machiavellianism- ordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University.

http://www.answers.com/topic/machiavellianism

Gordon, Robert. Maine Today. “Force Congress to live like retirees”. March 12, 2005.

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/view/letters/1420635.shtml

Karon, Tony. Time Online Edition. “Why Europe ignores Bush”. Feb. 22, 2005.

http://www.time.com/time/columnist/karon/article/0,9565,1029937,00.html

Lampman, Jane. Christian Science Monitor. “New scrutiny of role of religion in Bush’s Policies”. March 17, 2003.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0317/po1s01-uspo.html

Ledeen, Michael. National Review Online. “Syrious Threat”. March 11, 2005.

http://www.nationalreview.com/ledeen/ledeen200503110745.asp

Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Chapter 5- “The Way to Govern Cities or Dominions That, Previous to Being Occupied, Lived Under Their Own Laws” Pg. 46

Woodward, Bob. 60 Minutes Interview. CBS News.com. “A Rare Glimpse Inside Bush's Cabinet”. Nov. 17, 2002.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/17/60minutes/main529657.shtml

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