Machiavelli and Modern Politics in the United States

Words: 299 Pages: 1

Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

It is no secret that the modern political landscape in the United States and across the world is becoming more polarized, which is the problem being addressed in the given reflection. The two major political parties of America are further from each other than ever, which is why Machiavelli’s theories are relevant even today. It is important to understand why such polarization is taking place since it contributes to social hostility and division.

Main body

The first point is that Machiavelli’s prime political thesis is centered around one notion. It states that public and private mortality are not compatible when it comes to leadership and governance (Winter, 2018). In other words, a feared leader cannot be and should not be a loved one since leadership requires effectiveness and rigidity, whereas being publicly loved requires appealing to the majority, such as celebrities.

The second point is that the last two administrations of the United States are prime examples of such changes, but previous administrations also adhere to the framework. The public no longer wants a loved leader by a majority, but rather someone who effectively represents their interests. Both Trump and Biden are effective representatives of their parties, and both did actions, which went against the public. For example, Biden’s recent Afghanistan actions show how one can effectively complete the withdrawal despite the criticism, whereas Trump was widely disliked by the majority of media and groups. The third point is that all despite one’s political stance, all presidents have done actions regardless of the public’s approval, which shows that Machiavelli’s thesis holds true, such as Obama’s healthcare plan, Trump’s border policies, and Biden’s military withdrawal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Machiavelli’s statement about political leadership explains why polarization occurs because people want effective leaders, which means they cannot be publically loved.

Reference

Winter, Y. (2018). Machiavelli and the orders of violence. Cambridge University Press.