Lao-Tzu's Leadership Qualities

Should a ruler be pragmatic and war-driven, or credulous and peaceable? What are some important traits and qualities the president should have? Hopefully they would have integrity, honesty, morals, and know what is right for the people’s betterment. However, the fifteenth century writer Machiavelli does not concern himself with integrity or staying true to his word, he does what he thinks will be best in the end whether it be morally good or bad. Sixth-century B.C. Lao-Tzu sees war as a state of direst necessity, and more weapons means less security. A leader’s top priority should not be war, unless it is to defend their country. Machiavelli presents an undeniably harsh view of governing a state that is drastically similar to a dictatorship

If means are to show ends, leaders against war must be based on a dis-allowance of violence. “War is accurately described as the realm of chance, in which even the best-laid plans usually all too quickly awry, death and destruction are constants, and victory is guaranteed to no one” (“Certainty” 25). Certainly, it is just inappropriate to use violence to eliminate the necessity to resort to violence. World War One was named by some the 'the war to end war.' This delusion has been less common since then, but its consequences are not frequently acted on. The use of violence as well as the willingness to use it has several consequences for a society. It often causes suffering. It relinquishes moral superiority and alienates potential supporters. It entails secrecy and therefore leads to less egalitarian decision making. If successful, it can lead to a violent and totalitarian new ruling leader. For example, the introduction of state socialism in Russia, China, and Vietnam this century in both cases was based on a forceful capture and preservation of power. It can be argued that this has contributed to the continued militarization of these societies. The goal is a world without war and which remains without war. The goal therefore is for a society, which is both stable and resilient with respect to not using organized violence. The means compatible with this goal are not ones of calamitous warfare, but of patient and resolute efforts towards desired social