Wow, did we have a interesting presentation and a good discussion about politics! John McClain, Ph.D. who has studied both philosophy and political science, made the presentation and centered it on Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527). Machiavelli wrote "The Prince" which was a practical guide to power politics in Florence, Italy around 1500. It was the first objective analysis of the methods by which political power is obtained and kept. Dr. McClain asked: "to what extent do Machiavellian principles still operate in American politics?

What was it that Machiavelli said that made his name famous and sometimes synonymous with unscrupulousness, deceit and expediency? Here is a quote from The Prince offered by Dr. McClain:

"But since my intention is to write something useful for anyone who understands it, it seemed more suitable to me to search after the effectual truth of the matter rather than its imagined one. And many writers have imagined for themselves republics and principalities that have never been seen nor known to exist in reality; for there is such a gap between how one lives and how one ought to live that anyone who abandons what is done for what ought to be done earns his ruin rather than his preservation: for a man who wishes to make a vocation of being good at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good. Hence, it is necessary for a prince who wishes to maintain his position to learn how not to be good, and to use his knowledge or not to use it according to necessity." Ch. XV.

"For one can generally say this about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivors....A wise ruler ...cannot and should not keep his word when such an observance of faith would be to his disadvantage...And men in general judge more by their eyes than their hands: for everyone can see but few can feel. Everyone sees what you seem to be, few perceive what you are..." Ch XVIII.

Some of the underpinnings for Machiavelli's political conclusions are based on his perception of people, as well as his concepts of power and politics.

The key to understanding his viewpoint is his idea that the people, the uneducated or under-edudated, in fact the masses of people, are "fickle" and whimsically change their opinions, loyalty and support. There are too many factions to please and these are everchanging.

He believed that the leader must avoid hatred from the people and that hatred was generated by the unhappiness of unmet expectations! Any leader or ruler who tried to foster the love of the people by making promises, offering things, and stimulating their expectations was doomed. At first this might generate some positive feelings; eventually, the inability to deliver on the promises causes disappointment which evolves into hatred. This type of leader is eventually seen as weak and fickle himself; he loses the confidence of the people and is eventually hated. Hatred leads to rebellion, chaos and his downfall.

Machiavelli says that the wise ruler, having knowledge and understanding of human nature, must use it expediently. This means he should generate not love but fear! Love is fickle and people whimsically love on their own terms. However, they can be made to fear on the leader's terms. He must promise little or nothing; he must be miserly and diminish expectations. He must resort to guile, guise and deceit to maintain control and to govern effectively. He must present an image in which people can see themselves or see what they want to see. He must talk in generalities and never be trapped by making statements and promises. His words should allow vague interpretations into which the people can read their own desires. All this requires the use of deceit! This is the most important and essential leadership skill. The leader must be able to be cruel, to sacrifice people, even those around him. Meanwhile, the people should believe that they are governing themselves and are influential in making things happen. The system must be set up that in spite of what the people do, the goals of the leader are accomplished. Let's hope they are good!

Our next meeting is Jan.10, 2001. The subject will be: What is the nature of progress and how does this affect our idea of God? What is Process Philosophy. It will be presented by Ileana Grams, Ph.D. Please come. Al I