Machiavelli's Lessons: Realism and Leadership in Politics

Machiavelli's "The Prince" challenges idealism, advocating pragmatism in governance and emphasizing adaptability for effective leadership.

### Niccolò Machiavelli's "The Prince": A Guide to Realpolitik and Effective Leadership
* 👑 Machiavelli's "The Prince" aims to help rulers **win and maintain power** by exposing the **harsh realities of politics and human nature**.
* 🌍 He warns against the **moralistic fallacy**, urging leaders to **discard idealism** and **prepare for the worst**.
* ♂ According to Machiavelli, most people are not virtuous, and leaders must sometimes act **immorally** to ensure **stability and security**.
* 💪 He emphasizes the importance of **power and competence** for rulers to achieve their goals and maintain **self-sufficiency**.
* 😈 Machiavelli suggests that leaders should instill fear in both subjects and other states, as **love and loyalty are ephemeral**.
* 👁 He believes that behind every mask, there is a **dark side to human nature** that must be acknowledged.
* 🛡 Machiavelli argues that sometimes **cruelty is necessary** to maintain order and prevent chaos.
* 🔄 Lastly, he stresses the importance of **adaptability**, as governance is too complex to rely on a **single approach**.

Every man who tries to be good all the time will end up ruined among the many men who are not. In Florence, specifically in 1469, a child was born who would be criticized and humiliated but who would change all Western thought on politics. His name is Niccolò Machiavelli. For some, he was a failed politician, but we will evaluate him through one of his most outstanding works, The Prince. As he wrote, there are always actions that may seem morally correct but can actually lead to disaster, and others that may seem incorrect but can ensure security and success. The Prince has been banned and vilified, described as a manual for demons, a guide to tyranny, and it has even been said that it corrupted anyone who read it. This book was written by the Italian diplomat and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. It constitutes a political exploration of human nature and a guide for nobles on how to maintain their power over the masses they control. Machiavelli attempts to reveal how the world of politics and power truly operates, and today we will delve into its pages to extract lessons for our daily lives. We will discover why virtuous people can be ineffective in government, how cruelty can have benefits, and how we are all a little less moral than we thought. This book was aimed at the rulers of principalities, that is, aristocratic leaders rather than leaders of democracies. Furthermore, this explanation does not imply an

Presented in it. But before delving into why this book has acquired such a negative reputation, this is our first point and Machiavelli's first lesson for all of us: the fall of idealism. The moralistic fallacy is an error of irrational thinking in which we assume that the world is a certain way because we believe it should be that way. If you have ever been surprised by human behavior simply because it seems very wrong, then you have fallen into the clutches of this fallacy. According to Machiavelli, the reality is that people commit terrible, cunning, and villainous actions all the time, and he is here to take the blindfold off our eyes and show us the world as it is. Before Machiavelli, much had been written on the topic of government, but a great deal of it was the work of philosophers discussing how to be a moral ruler or how to be a good citizen. Consider, for example, Aristotle's politics, which largely focuses on issues of virtuous government and how to lead states to promote human flourishing. However, Machiavelli did not agree with this at all. The Prince aims to help rulers achieve one thing: to win and maintain power. For Machiavelli, there was a fundamental problem with all this moral reasoning about how to be a virtuous ruler. Most people simply are not virtuous. He is not judging them; he is just expressing what he sees as a

benefit and will be willing to perform any immoral or amoral act they consider appropriate at the time, justifying it later with twisted ethical reasoning. In a world like this, a ruler who only cares about the color of their own soul would be devoured and would soon lose power. Machiavelli is clear on this point: being a good person is simply not enough to be a stable and secure ruler. Sometimes, for both a ruler and their citizens, being stable and secure is much better than being good. Machiavelli witnessed turbulent times in Italy where city-states rose and fell, governments crumbled, it was common knowledge. He knew up close the reality that often it was preferable to have a ruler without scruples who kept their state secure than a virtuous one who could be easily manipulated by foreign powers and would quickly end up invaded, with their people massacred, and their army annihilated. That's why he insists on this first lesson: to discard any idealism about how the world should be. Machiavelli acknowledges the existence of virtuous people and indeed suggests that it is beneficial to surround oneself with them if one is lucky enough to find them. However, he emphasizes that it is wiser to adopt a pessimistic view of human nature and prepare for the worst. It is better to be pleasantly surprised by the virtuous actions of some individuals than to be naively optimistic and face disastrous consequences. Machiavelli suggests that the

Rulers should break previous agreements with their allies since these allies would probably betray them if it ever suits them. It is recommended to instill fear in both subjects and other states, arguing that love and loyalty are ephemeral. While fear deeply roots in the human heart, ensuring their fidelity in difficult times, it is affirmed that one should worry more about appearing good than truly being good since, according to him, that is the norm followed by the majority. This mentality is part of what has given Machiavelli the reputation of being a ruthless strategist willing to resort to any necessary means to achieve his goals, regardless of honesty, morality, or consequences for others. Machiavelli held the belief that behind every mask we show to the world, there is a dark and sometimes complex part of our nature that we often prefer to ignore or deny. This idea connects with what the Swiss psychologist and essayist Carl Jung called the shadow, referring to those unconscious facets of our personality that we tend to hide from others' eyes. Machiavelli suggests some morally questionable behaviors, but it is crucial to understand his reasoning behind them. From his perspective, politics is a ruthless terrain, and if you are so focused on being virtuous that you lose sight, and that virtue prevents you from making the unpleasant decisions that a leader sometimes must make to maintain.

Their power. So, you are likely to be replaced by another ruler, possibly one even worse than you. Personally, I tend to have a slightly more hopeful perspective on human nature compared to Machiavelli. However, I admit that there is some truth in his observations. Wherever we go, we are likely to find individuals willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Recognizing this reality allows us to be prepared to handle those situations with the necessary firmness. We may not face decisions as extreme as those Machiavelli describes, but we could find ourselves in circumstances where we have to sacrifice certain moral principles for the general welfare. For example, he argues that we cannot be competent or kind in all aspects of life. This limitation is not only due to our limited abilities and resources but also to conflicts between different moral codes in some areas of our lives such as politics, business, or family. We may face what we could call difficult decisions. Sometimes we may have to give up our ideas of altruistic kindness for practical effectiveness. Perhaps we are forced to tell lies to maintain a stable relationship, or we may have to overlook the feelings of certain employees to keep the business running smoothly. According to Machiavelli, this is the price we must pay for dealing with the world as it is instead of how we would like it to be. One thing that strikes me about Machiavelli is what he considers.

Fundamental in a leader despite spending much of his life working as a diplomat for his home state Florence, he respects power and competence above all else. It is tempting to see this as just a symptom of his supposed psychopathy. But there is much more to Machiavelli's admiration for the powerful than meets the eye. Machiavelli points out a truth that is obvious but often not recognized: we need power to achieve anything. In his opinion, there is no greater goal for a ruler to strive for than personal power. This does not necessarily mean that the leader [Music] enriched themselves or went over your defenses to cut off your head and completely replace your government. Machiavelli recommends building a military force independent of your state. He points out that people defending their homes will fight much harder against invaders, while mercenaries are known to flee at the first real sign of danger. But what is all this power for? It is not simply for the lust for control, but to ensure self-sufficiency for both yourself and your state. Power will not only ensure the respect of neighboring states, preventing invasion, but also the fear and admiration of your subjects. One of the most defining Stoic principles is to strengthen the ability to find happiness within oneself. Seneca once encouraged people to give up all their possessions and loved ones to live in nature for a

Time alone to demonstrate that their happiness was completely independent would not only earn the respect of others, as they cannot help but admire someone who does not depend on anything for their well-being, but it would also strengthen their self-esteem. This last point may be the most valuable because even though we can distance ourselves from those who hate and belittle us, if we do not respect ourselves, there will always be a voice in our head telling us that we are worthless. Machiavelli advises all of us to ensure our independence from external forces, either through external power or internal dominance. But perhaps the most powerful of Machiavelli's advice is his suggestion that sometimes a leader must be cruel or harsh for the sake of their government, and that is what we will explore next: the kindness of cruelty. What image comes to mind when you think of a cruel leader? Perhaps you think of unimaginable atrocities and the continuous exploitation of the dominated. For Machiavelli, correctly applied cruelty is not about that, but rather the careful management of fear in your subjects. As we have discussed, Machiavelli does not trust that people will be loyal out of love or gratitude; gratitude is easily forgotten, and love fades when it becomes inconvenient. Instead, it is fear, and particularly the fear of punishment, that keeps people in line during difficult times, preventing a state from plunging into chaos due to his deeply pessimistic view of human nature.

Human nature, Machiavelli argues, states that people tend to resort to violence both against their ruler and among themselves unless they are kept fearful by the power of their sovereign. This implies that in paradoxical occasions, the most benevolent thing is to be cruel, and the most cruel thing is to forgive known criminals and those who will cause problems in the future. In this sense, Machiavelli presents an example in which a ruler decides to forgive all those who have harmed him, showing mercy even to the most dangerous criminals. At first glance, this could be considered an act of virtue and compassion, but Machiavelli argues that this benevolence is a mistake that will only lead to disaster. According to him, this indulgence will only serve to subscribe the ruler and his people to a future chaos. Machiavelli warns that ultimately, the ruler will be forced to face the rebels, but it will be after a long period of time, allowing resentment to accumulate among the population, eventually leading to a rebellion and the collapse of his government. If the ruler continues to show imprudent compassion, the state will crumble as a result. I believe this is a very good example of how Machiavelli can be misinterpreted. He not only argues that it is better for a ruler to occasionally be cruel, dishonest, and immoral, but also states that it is better for his people. In the context of the Italian Renaissance, the likelihood of your state being invaded

Alarmingly high, and the main protection against this, according to Machiavelli, was the reputation of your ruler. The ruler could not achieve this without cruelty. So, Machiavelli not only believes that a ruler who is more concerned about their conscience than power is destined to fail but also thinks they will take their entire state and people with them. What may seem morally right at first could have disastrous consequences. While a severe moment of immorality could ensure peace and prosperity for all, for Machiavelli, cruelty is inevitable for a successful ruler. The key lies in applying it with prudence and decisiveness to establish a secure government. Therefore, if you seek peace, you must be willing to face war, and if you seek goodness, you must be willing to be cruel. But what happens when the state is secured? Can we relax then? According to Machiavelli, the answer is a definitive no. Machiavelli believes that the people have a reasonable chance of survival in the medium or long term if immediate threats have been resolved. However, there is an infallible way to destroy your budding kingdom and end up losing your head: becoming complacent. For Machiavelli, the cardinal sin of an established ruler is becoming too comfortable and thinking their position is not under threat. Once this attitude is adopted, all is lost. This is because Machiavelli believes that a state is never truly secure but must constantly be on guard.

Rivals who are coveting your lands with joy, and there will be rivals within your own state who are constantly watching for any weakness in your power to take your place as ruler. For Machiavelli, a leader is never completely secure, and if he becomes complacent, then there are only a few short steps until he and his city fall into disgrace. According to Machiavelli, humans naturally tend to think that any current situation will last forever. So, if things are going well at the moment, it is very tempting to think that we have nothing to prepare for, and that we can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Machiavelli suggests a different approach. In his opinion, easy times are there precisely so that we can prepare for the next set of difficult times. This advice is also found in the reflections of some existentialist philosophers like Sartre. For him, suffering was an almost inevitable part of life, and moments of relief did not mean that difficulties had ended, but were opportunities to strengthen our resilience against future challenges. Schopenhauer saw this as a kind of mastery over the human will. Although it is not necessary to adopt his entire philosophy to recognize the underlying truth in this idea, it is easy to consider happiness as the default human condition and see pain as an anomaly. But it seems to be the other way around; security, stability, and happiness are difficult achievements that we can lose if we believe that

Life challenges have concluded, at least that's how Machiavelli understood it. However, there is a significant warning that accompanies Machiavelli's philosophy, and I believe it is crucial to consider it before attempting to apply his manual in our lives. This is the importance of adaptability in life. Some things are like mathematics, where once you learn how to do something, you can apply it in almost any situation. However, Machiavelli argues that being a ruler is nothing like this. At the end of his book, he reveals that the most important quality a ruler must have is adaptability. Governing is too complex to rely on a single approach, and a ruler who cannot adapt will eventually face situations where their skills will be inadequate. An expert leader in peacetime may not be as effective in times of war, and a good financial administrator may fail at leading armies. What works as good governance for Florence may not be suitable for Persia, France, or England. This leads us to question the relevance of Machiavelli's perceptions today. We do not live in Renaissance Europe with its unique challenges and opportunities, and Machiavelli would not approve of us applying his wisdom directly to our lives without considering significant changes in the global power landscape. Obviously, I do not have the definitive answer on the relevance of Machiavelli's perceptions in our era. However, I believe that the question itself highlights an important skill when reading this type of text.

In philosophy, especially in historical philosophy, there is a particular skill known as practical wisdom, called phronesis in the Greek tradition. This concept, proposed by Aristotle, encompasses various skills, but it partly refers to the ability to discern when a certain piece of wisdom is relevant to a situation and when it is not. Aristotle does not provide many guidelines on how to develop this skill beyond encouraging us to interact with the world and observe which strategies work in practice. Over time, he believes we will learn in which situations certain philosophies are useful and when we should consider a different approach. I believe this skill is invaluable when reading the bold advice of thinkers like Machiavelli. It is important to cultivate a critical sense and not blindly accept the thoughts of these philosophers without reflecting on them. You may find certain aspects of them useful and others not. You may want to adopt some of Machiavelli's perceptions about human nature but not share his views on cruelty. Being objective, we can realize that many politicians currently use a facade of morality to hide what lies behind closed doors, as Machiavelli asserts in his writings. However, I always believe that these books should ignite the spark of our own thinking instead of extinguishing the flames. In my opinion, we should neither ignore nor fully adhere to Machiavelli's ideas. To conclude, I will quote one of my favorite phrases from Niccolò Machiavelli.

In general, men judge more by their eyes than by intelligence. Because everyone can see, but few understand what they see.

Nicolás Maquiavelo Tu Mayor Problema Es Ser Demasiado Bueno

Espejismos Mentales

The Impact of Machiavelli's "The Prince" on Political Thought

Machiavelli's "The Prince" challenges the idea of virtuous governance and instead focuses on the importance of maintaining power.

He argues that in a world where people are not inherently virtuous, a ruler's stability and security are more crucial than their morality.

Machiavelli's work is a rejection of the idealistic view of human nature, emphasizing the need to be prepared for the worst in politics.

Machiavelli's Philosophy on Power and Morality

Machiavelli believes rulers should prioritize fear over love and loyalty, breaking agreements with allies if necessary.

He argues that appearing good is more important than actually being good in politics, as it allows leaders to make unpleasant but crucial decisions for maintaining power.

Machiavelli's philosophy acknowledges the harsh realities of human nature and the necessity of sacrificing moral principles for the greater good in certain situations.

Machiavelli's Philosophy on Power and Cruelty

Machiavelli values power and competence in a leader, emphasizing the need for self-sufficiency and military strength.

He believes that a ruler's power is essential for gaining respect and preventing invasion.

Additionally, Machiavelli suggests that cruelty, when applied carefully, is necessary for managing fear in subjects and maintaining stability, due to his pessimistic view of human nature.

Machiavelli's View on Rulership and Cruelty

Machiavelli argues that a ruler's benevolence and mercy can lead to disaster, as it may cause resentment and ultimately rebellion.

He believes that cruelty is sometimes necessary for a ruler to maintain power and security, especially in the context of the Italian Renaissance.

Machiavelli also warns that a ruler must never become complacent, as constant vigilance is crucial for maintaining a secure government.

The Insecurity of Leadership: Machiavelli's Timeless Advice

Machiavelli emphasizes the constant threat to a leader's power and the need to prepare for difficult times, rather than becoming complacent in good times.

He also stresses the crucial quality of adaptability for a ruler, highlighting that governance requires different approaches for varying situations.

The relevance of Machiavelli's perceptions to today's global power landscape is questioned, emphasizing the need for careful consideration when applying his wisdom to modern leadership.

The Concept of Practical Wisdom in Philosophy

Practical wisdom, or phronesis, is a skill in historical philosophy, particularly associated with Aristotle, involving the discernment of relevant wisdom in a given situation.

Aristotle's guidance for developing this skill is based on interacting with the world and observing effective strategies.

The application of practical wisdom is crucial when engaging with the advice of philosophers like Machiavelli, requiring a critical approach to adopt useful aspects and question others.