By Sharon M. Kennedy
When all the general election votes are counted, we could be heading for a non-democratic republic because some contenders believe democracy, as we have always defined it, is on the line. According to various candidates, our current system squanders money on people who won’t work and who live off the taxes of those who do. It’s never going to get better until things change through the efforts of newly elected men and women. The weakening of our Constitution might become a reality depending upon who wins the presidential race. The Presidency used to be the highest office in the land, but Justices of the Supreme Court might disagree. They do wield big sticks in the legal department and are not afraid to use them. How this might affect future generations is unknown.
“A man may rise to power when the ascent is made by paths of wickedness and crime or when a private person becomes ruler of his country by the favor of his fellow citizens.” Although this quote is from Machiavelli’s 1513 work, “The Prince” published in Italy 19 years later, it remains relevant today. Especially pertinent is the 1954 introduction written by American philosopher and educator, Irwin Edwin, who wrote: “Machiavellian has become a synonym for political artfulness and ruthless conspiracy…It identifies an attitude, a point of view or the principle of politics without principle.”
So here we are, almost a quarter of the way into a new century and I’m quoting something from the 1500s. American voters will soon speak and might confirm what Machiavelli predicted: “When the power of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church weakened, men questioned the old sanctions.” In his Introduction, Edwin wrote, “Machiavelli foresaw a prince strong enough to be ruler of a united Italy. In a country divided among rival bands of feuding noble bandits and profligate and ambitious Popes and Cardinals, he saw no other hope than anarchy.” Replace bandits, Popes and Cardinals with Republicans and Democrats and you get the modern picture.
Politicians, and apparently some judges, rake in millions of dollars from lobbyists and billionaires. Most of the people running for public office are, arguably, more interested in claiming their share of the money pot than in governing. If we think elections are about selecting candidates who will fulfill most of our needs and make our life easier, we’re probably mistaken. Elections have always been about grabbing a piece of the power pie while the grabbing is good and the public is forgetful that members of the Electoral College decide the presidency, not Citizens Joe and Jane Public.
The principal theme of “The Prince” is basically that the ends justify the means. Machiavelli would have loved the politics of today. In his age, as now, it was a time of transition and turmoil that might lead to acts of violence from one party or the other. Machiavelli believed only a strong ruler could bring the authority demanded to quell division among the ranks and create peace. Perhaps that kind of unchecked power was acceptable in 16th century Italy, but is it acceptable today?
In theory, power does not belong in the hands of one person in the United States. As someone said years ago, “It takes a village to raise a child,” so, too, it takes a community of politicians working together to figure out what’s best for the populace. Flawed as candidates might be, I hope whoever wins the upcoming election is a person of moral strength, impeccable integrity and a believer in the rule of law. These traits should be the very least we expect of those who possess great power.
The Power of Politics
By Sharon M. Kennedy
“A man may rise to power when the ascent is made by paths of wickedness and crime or when a private person becomes ruler of his country by the favor of his fellow citizens.” Although this quote is from Machiavelli’s 1513 work, “The Prince” published in Italy 19 years later, it remains relevant today. Especially pertinent is the 1954 introduction written by American philosopher and educator, Irwin Edwin, who wrote: “Machiavellian has become a synonym for political artfulness and ruthless conspiracy…It identifies an attitude, a point of view or the principle of politics without principle.”
So here we are, almost a quarter of the way into a new century and I’m quoting something from the 1500s. American voters will soon speak and might confirm what Machiavelli predicted: “When the power of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church weakened, men questioned the old sanctions.” In his Introduction, Edwin wrote, “Machiavelli foresaw a prince strong enough to be ruler of a united Italy. In a country divided among rival bands of feuding noble bandits and profligate and ambitious Popes and Cardinals, he saw no other hope than anarchy.” Replace bandits, Popes and Cardinals with Republicans and Democrats and you get the modern picture.
Politicians, and apparently some judges, rake in millions of dollars from lobbyists and billionaires. Most of the people running for public office are, arguably, more interested in claiming their share of the money pot than in governing. If we think elections are about selecting candidates who will fulfill most of our needs and make our life easier, we’re probably mistaken. Elections have always been about grabbing a piece of the power pie while the grabbing is good and the public is forgetful that members of the Electoral College decide the presidency, not Citizens Joe and Jane Public.
The principal theme of “The Prince” is basically that the ends justify the means. Machiavelli would have loved the politics of today. In his age, as now, it was a time of transition and turmoil that might lead to acts of violence from one party or the other. Machiavelli believed only a strong ruler could bring the authority demanded to quell division among the ranks and create peace. Perhaps that kind of unchecked power was acceptable in 16th century Italy, but is it acceptable today?
In theory, power does not belong in the hands of one person in the United States. As someone said years ago, “It takes a village to raise a child,” so, too, it takes a community of politicians working together to figure out what’s best for the populace. Flawed as candidates might be, I hope whoever wins the upcoming election is a person of moral strength, impeccable integrity and a believer in the rule of law. These traits should be the very least we expect of those who possess great power.