Latest news with #NiccoloMachiavelli
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
This Word Means: Machiavellian
Why now? Florentine philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469. Considered to be a father of modern political theory, he is one of the most influential philosophers of all time. The word 'machiavellian' is used today to characterise the view that politics is amoral, that is, unscrupulous actions are permissible to acquire and maintain political power. It appears in all kinds of contexts and places, including in newspapers like The Indian Express. Who was Machiavelli? Niccolo Machiavelli was born in tumultuous times. The unification of Italy was still a few centuries away, and a number of Italian city-states, the Holy Roman Empire, France and Spain were in a constant tussle for power. Between 1498 to 1512, Machiavelli served as a senior official in the Republic of Florence, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. As defence secretary, he distinguished himself by executing policies that strengthened Florence politically. Machiavelli fell out of favour when the Medici family returned to power in 1512. To regain a post, he penned the Il Principe (The Prince) in 1513, his most famous work, dedicated to 'the Magnificent Lorenzo Di Piero De' Medici'. The ideas that are most associated with Machiavelli today can be found in The Prince. What did Machiavelli say in The Prince? The book strives to establish 'some universal principles relative to the business of taking and holding power in each kind of state', wrote British novelist Tim Parks in his introduction to The Prince (published in 2014 by Penguin). Machiavelli's own experience and intellectual honesty lead him to arrive at a simple, but profound conclusion: 'that there are many times when winning and holding political power was possible only if a leader was ready to act outside the moral codes that applied to ordinary individuals', Parks wrote. This is the essence of what in political theory is referred to as Machiavellianism. According to historian David Wootton, Machiavelli fundamentally changed what the concern of political philosophers and politics, in general, should be. Wootton wrote: 'Since Plato… Politics was concerned with the definition of the good life and was inseparable from moral philosophy. Machiavelli had no interest in [this]… for him, success, not morality, was what counted.' (Modern Political Thought: Readings from Machiavelli to Nietszche, 1996). How is the term 'machiavellian' used today? Depending on one's personal politics, Machiavelli's ideas can have a variety of implications, which lie outside the scope of this basic explainer. What you need to know is that today, the word 'machiavellian' has almost become a synonym for someone who is amoral, that is, she is willing to utilise any means to reach her ultimate end. A machiavellian politician is someone who is willing to use subterfuge to attain and maintain power. A machiavellian nation state is one whose policies are unconcerned with right or wrong, and only bothered about protecting and expanding its influence. Even psychologists use 'machiavellian' to refer to a personality characterised by manipulativeness, indifference to morality, lack of empathy, and a calculated focus on self-interest.
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Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
What hope?
Listen to article I love protests and chaotic gatherings. They represent the naivety, innocence and beauty that humans carry within themselves. At the same time, they prove that we all thrive amidst commotion. It makes for a good picture moment and adds to one's portfolio. But does it do any good? Does it bring about change? Historically, protests have definitely brought about change and even ignited revolutions. The secret there was consistency where you became a thorn in the path of those who were doing wrong and promoting foul. In our country today though, we have to accept the fact that the writ of the state cannot be challenged. No matter what. We saw this during the passing of the 26th amendment to the Constitution and we saw it recently when the JCP convened and elevated judges to the apex court. Lawyers and activists (albeit in a small number) tried to get their point across by protesting in Islamabad but the capital police had blocked off roads to the red zone. Of course, it's a separate debate as to why the protesting lawyers were manhandled by the police. The point here is that we need to accept the fact that the 26th amendment is here to stay. The state will continue to take decisions that it deems fit for its welfare despite us not agreeing with those decisions. We have no choice but to accept the fact that the current government will continue to do what it wants to do and on the face of it, whatever they are doing and have been doing isn't illegal either. It might be immoral and unethical but Niccolo Machiavelli once said that ethics have nothing to do with politics, the state can exercise whatever power, however it chooses to in order to remain in power. Fear works better and is more effective than affection. It might be safe to say that the days of igniting a revolution might be over. Gone are the days when you could bully the government into succumbing to your demands. Be it legal or illegal, we operate within a system where democracy is merely a façade and the ones who rule us care only about their next meal, not about what the people will eat. No matter how educated, experienced and correct one may be, they will have to bow down to nepotism and corruption. That explains why more than a million skilled youth have left this country and continue to depart every day. It is alarming how many skilled people, that I knew personally, have left this country for better opportunities abroad and are now doing much better than they were here. From not being able to afford renting a house, to purchasing cars and owning homes, it is evident that we aren't doing something right here. We aren't doing anything right! This is just one of the alarming trends. But everything is fine as long as we continue to give away laptops and arrange questionable scholarship schemes. Skilled youth is leaving and we aren't doing anything to stop them unless of course we can legislate and make that a crime too. That day isn't far away. Run while you still can. Every other youngster I meet either in court or in any other setting is either working towards leaving or has his flight booked. If that doesn't alarm you, I don't know what will. Those who can't afford to leave, continue to dwell in uncertainty and look forward to eventually leaving. Why can't we have nice roads, basic infrastructure and a parliament that actually works for the welfare of its people? I wouldn't stay we still have time. I think the time has gone. People are leaving because they've lost hope in things ever improving. They've lost hope in the system and in the rulers. There's no turning back from here. Save what you have and either be honest and poor or be corrupt and rich. There's no other way.
