I'd ask, were the American People so gullible and ignorant in being
lied into Iraq, because they had read and studied Machiavelli's
writings ...?
Machiavellian Politics
Politics have been studied and analyzed for a very long time, and
written about for very nearly as long as writing has existed. One of
the best known, and most reviled writers on the subject is
Machiavelli; his book, The Prince, is a classic and much misunderstood
work. The most often quoted piece of the book is, "the ends justify
the means." The cliche term for short-sighted vicious politics is
"Machiavellian."
This is not quite accurate, Machiavelli put forth solutions to
problems and generally several solutions for a problem. A common
problem was a noble plotting against the ruler, several solutions were
mentioned, banishment of the noble, banishment of the noble and his
family, confiscation of family property, killing the noble, killing
the noble and his family, etc, etc. Along with the solutions came
analysis of probable outcomes. Oddly enough, considering his
reputation, Machiavelli preferred to take the long-term outlook and
the solution that favored it. For instance, banishment put the noble
out of reach and free to stir up trouble, compounded if the family was
also banished by more people stirring the pot and the extended family/
associates resentment, confiscation worked the same way and stirred
resentment among others of property and other members of the family,
killing creates martyrs, etc. There really is a need for a new
adjective describing short-sighted vicious politics; I think maybe the
term could be Rovian, as in Karl.
I've heard Rove described as a genius, or by perfectly good lefties, a
despicable genius. I disagree, what has passed for genius is simply
the willingness to use whatever means are available for short term
gain, reflective of certain elements in 18th and 19th Century
politics, the nastier elements. He is a nasty man who plays dirty for
a short term payoff. The problem with this approach is illustrated by
the current BushCo poll numbers and the general reputation of the
Republican Party. Any political movement generates opposition, this is
normal and to be expected, but opposition is a different animal from
enemies. Rovian politics creates enemies, these are mortal foes, they
will not agree with you and they will seek your downfall and expend
serious assets to bring it about. People in general will begin to see
through lies and be offended for being taken and become enemies. The
art of politics becomes slash and burn warfare, a policy of scorched
earth with little regard for the welfare of the state. Policy
decisions become hostage to the accrual of power and failed policies
become sacrosanct - the expenditure in their implementation now drives
their continuation, the leader cannot fail. Fear becomes a handy
weapon, but it is a very blunt instrument and the objects of its use
soon tire of it or become inured to its effects.
Politics is about getting things accomplished, power is an aspect of
that end but it is not the prime mover. In a system like ours you may
have the power to force things through, for a while, but at some point
the opposition must be taken into account
CONT"D
SEE:
http://chuckfor.blogspot.com/2007/03/machiavellian-politics.html
When will they ever learn,oh when will they ever learn...?
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