In Machiavelli We Trust?

Ample evidence engulfs us, with clear indications that no individual life, no natural law, no constitutional principle, religious tenant or human race on earth is safe from today's dark, governing ideology. Our highest elected and appointed officials, in both parties, believe millions of us are no longer the "right" kind of people and as a result, our personal safety is at risk while our liberties are being legislated away.

Prince Niccolò Machiavelli (c 1527) writing in, "The Prince", famously wrote about the following "statebuilding" thought process;

Anything can be done, no matter what the consequences may be, for the end result will be justified, and so the method used to attain it is of no consequence.

The Greek playwright Sophocles wrote, in Electra (c 409 B.C.); 'The end excuses any evil.'

And Roman poet Ovid (c 10 B.C.) wrote in Heroides; 'The result justifies the deed.'

Wikipedia succinctly describes what these three political ideologies have in common; "Force may be used to eliminate political rivals, to coerce resistant populations, and to purge the community of other men strong enough of character to rule, who will inevitably attempt to replace the ruler."

America was founded in fervent opposition to the immoral concepts described by Machiavelli, Sophocles and Ovid. With profound brilliance and insight into human nature, America's founders (imperfect for sure) meticulously, publically and prayerfully designed a constitution imbedded with natural laws, minority rights, respect for individuals and an elaborate diffusion of political powers. Because they were keenly aware that men and women would forever hold Machiavellian, Sophoclian and Ovidian beliefs, our founders sought to prevent those with selfish, immoral beliefs from ever gaining total control over the levers of national power. George Washington wrote in 1779, "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." It has been often quoted, "Like fire, it (government) is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." In short, our founders knew that we either limit the size, scope and power of our government, or we will surely become engulfed in political flames, ultimately burned by a tyrannical minority.

Don't like Gitmo? Release 5 mass murdering Taliban Generals. Hate personal gun rights? Violate the 2nd Amendment. Despise a religion? Make certain beliefs illegal. Some children are smarter than others? Impose Common Core. Some citizens don't have enough stuff? Redistribute one's personal property to others. Some nations have less wealth? Redistribute American wealth. Too much money in your retirement savings? Tax IRA Accounts. Oppose gay marriages? Government mandated sensitivity training. Dislike your oath of office? Add sworn enemies of the USA to your administration.

Our communities, political parties, media organizations, religious institutions and federalized government education system are ablaze in Machiavellian fire. Today, political ends appear to be justified by whatever means the majority political party can popularize through social media. This "if it feels good, do it" philosophy defines a direct democracy, a form of government so deeply feared by our founders, they created something far different: a representative republic. One of our extraordinary founding fathers, a great scholar and famous inventor, Benjamin Franklin, understood the Author of authority, the giver of our unalienable, individual rights, is God. We are accountable to God, and our politicians are responsible to us.

Let us never, ever forget that our unalienable rights can never be subjected to popular opinion, the latest fads, media polls or flash mobs whipped into euphoria by messianic political figures.

Machiavelli's most powerful soldier is a straw man; a mythical enemy that draws its' power from the human emotions of envy, greed, lust, pride, idolatry and jealously. To be successful, a straw man argument requires that the audience be ignorant or uninformed of the original argument. Repeatedly throughout human history, Godless men have amassed control and political power by introducing straw men, whipping citizens into an emotional frenzy, and then converting human ignorance into political power. It's as if an intravenous drip line with anesthesia has been inserted into our national bloodstream, rendering us defenseless while the masters of the Machiavellian arts operate to remove truth and history from our conscious. Individually, we must choose to rip the propaganda IV from our arms, and seek truth.

Our misplaced faith in man and institutions has led us down our road to hell. We are all guilty.

A renewed faith, one that seeks a personal, continuous, intimate relationship with God, is the path we all must travel, as only He can rescue us from the dire conditions of our own creation. The consequences of taking an alternative path should be unthinkable.

Amen! Thank you for posting. A relationship with God the Father through his son the Lord Jesus is the only answer. Unfortunately, it’s one America seems to have no interest in but actual hostility towards, so I am not too optimistic for our country at large. Individuals can still be won and we are to be lights shinning in this increasingly dark world as a witness to his majesty, love and grace. A better Day is coming when the real King returns to set everything right and destroy the works of darkness.

As commonly happens, Machiavelli is unfairly maligned here and made into a straw man. His essential premise was to reject theories of politics driven by religious faith and to instead look to how men actually conduct politics. This was contrary to the religious teachings of the era, but Machiavelli's approach is the the foundation of the modern study of politics as based on realism instead of aspirational ideals drawn from religion.

Machiavelli's larger purpose was to provide the basis for the educated public to understand how politics and power work in the real world. With that knowledge, the people would be better prepared to foster the development of Florence and other cities and nations into successful polities run by elected leaders. Machiavelli, it turns out, was an advocate of republican government, including that its citizens be armed and prepared to defend their freedom in battle.

The finest example of such Machiavellian thinking was the US federal constitutional convention. Due to Madison's Notes, the Federalist Papers, and other contemporary sources, we know that the Framers of the Constitution were deeply faithful but also realistic and with few illusions about politics and human nature.

As the Framers saw it, men pursue wealth, power, and fame. To induce men to serve the public interest when they hold office required that they be made subject to a written constitution with a separation of powers and checks and balances. The success of this distinctly realistic approach should give pause to those who see realism and Machiavelli as somehow invidious.

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