Machiavelli The Power of Fear Essay - 845 Words

Niccolo Machiavelli stressed that â€Å"one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it is much safer to be feared than loved†¦for love is held by a chain of obligation which, men being selfish, is broken whenever it serves their purpose; but fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never fails.† He felt that a true leader must be cunning and deceptive, winning the hearts of his people through power and influence. If he could not be liked, he could at least get by knowing he has intimidated these below him into submission. However rash or cruel this may seem, Machiavelli’s argument is not one to be countered easily. Historically, many dictators and democratic leaders have almost always†¦show more content†¦People are unlikely to overthrow a ruler that they fear, for they dread the punishments of failure. If the ruler is not feared by the people, he will eventually upset enough of them that they will rise up against him. They will overthrow him because of his perceived weakness, and his name and image will be shamed in the eyes of both his government and his people. Machiavelli believes that the state is completely separate from the ruler’s private life. No matter how immoral or heartless the ruler may be in private, only his public image is important. A ruler can be a terrible, sleazy person on their own time, and when not involved with matters of the state, but at any time when the leader is involved in politics and the state, you cannot afford to injure the image of the ruler or else anarchy will develop. With this kind of rebellion can come revolution, war, and many other tragedies that could be otherwise avoided. While being feared may not solve long-term problems or may lead to rebellion, a strong, intimidating ruler will bring the best results within a limited time frame. To be loved requires one to gain the trust of the people and to prove one is worthy of it; a task usually fulfilled over a long spam on time, years or maybe even decades. In the 1930 and 1940s, a certain government party in Germany came to rule through harsh persuasion and intimidation. They had the love and approval ofShow MoreRelatedMachiavelli s The Power Of Fear Essay2150 Words   |  9 PagesMachiavelli’s: The power of fear All animals experience fear - an overwhelmingly disturbing force of the mind that has the power to sway, distort and rupture the conventions of the psyche. Any animal incapable of fear would have been hard pressed to survive, regardless of its size, speed, or other attributes. Fear alerts us to dangers that threaten our well-being and sometimes our very lives. Sensing fear, we respond by running away, by hiding, or by preparing to ward off the danger. 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