Corrupt political systems

Discourses on Livy

Chapter 17 - That a corrupt People obtaining Freedom can hardly preserve it.

“But from the head being removed while the trunk was still sound, it was not difficult for the Romans to return to a free and constitutional government”.

In chapter 17, Machiavelli discusses the causes and effect of corruption in a state. He sets two examples of where Rome was able to re-establish and maintain liberty, whereas Milan or Naples were not.  He contends that the Roman people in the time of the Tarquins were not yet corrupted.  But in Milan and Naples the entire body of people were corrupt.  When Machiavelli uses the term “corrupt or corruption”, it is not synonymous with bribery.  He is referring to inequality within the people that contaminates the State and can only be remedied with violent measures to which some may not have the force nor skill to preserve liberty. 

Machiavelli talks about one’s virtues and he exampled how under the rule of Dion and Timoleon, their city was kept free because of their virtues. But the minute they went out of power, their city fell under tyranny.  Corrupt people are only concerned with self-interest, do not respect other members of society, and often do not adhere to laws or adapt to new laws.  Power and wealth govern corrupt societies. The inferior socioeconomic people do not have the possibility and opportunity regardless if they could make a difference in the community.  When a society becomes so corrupt, it becomes nearly impossible to restore to a sound regime.  He expresses this by asserting that a sound body of people overturns corruption and disorder does not shake a solid foundation.  

He draws an inference about transforming a corrupt state to a good one.  He cites two scenarios of the impossible and conditional possibility if one has paramount authority (respect, not power). One cannot enter in power with bad methods even if his intentions are meant for good because these same bad methods can be used to turn against and destroy the people of the state.  Governments fall into old disorders because rarely does one ruler live long enough to accustom to right methods a city which has long been accustomed to wrong.  For this reason, he states society needs two virtu (having ability, talent, strength, and skill) and virtue (being wise and courageous) successors to re-establish and maintain liberty.

His quote, “But from the head being removed while the trunk was still sound, it was not difficult for the Romans to return to a free and constitutional government”, translates to, if you remove the corrupt head, ruler, king, president, etc. before the entire cabinet or system becomes tainted, there is hope and possibility to return to a free and constitutional government. 

I chose this quote because when I analyze political systems, I metaphorically think of it in two ways; in nature and brick and mortar.  In nature, if the root of a tree is rotten, it will not grow and bear any fruit.   With brick and mortar, if the foundation is not solid, a building will collapse. 

 

 

“A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it.” -Machiavelli, The Prince

This quote speaks to me about lessons on morality, strategy, leadership, competence, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses.

“A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men”….I view this as why reinvent the wheel when the wise man before you laid a proven solid foundation?  Of course, continue to polish that wheel or diamond in order to be more effective and inspire others. Machiavelli refers to rulers need to be strong like a lion and sly like the fox. His interpretation of a wise man had nothing to do with any religion but rather being a ruler that was a just King.

“Imitate those who have been supreme”… I view this as the wise men before you influenced many.  Be careful who you listen to or follow. It is not always the populist, public figure, or that person that “appears” to be good or positive, but rather a person that demonstrates with actions of nobility, valor, and the desire to produce good for all. Machiavelli’s presents arguments and examples of both successful and unsuccessful rulers. He asserts to get it done at all cost regardless if it’s immoral. 

“So that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it”….I view this as if your competence is not up to par as the wise man before you, savour his supremacy, recognize your own strengths and move forward full strength with your gifts, and continue to develop and enhance your weaknesses that will eventually catapult like the caterpillar from its protective casing, radically transforming its body, and eventually emerging as a butterfly.

From childhood, most people in society are taught that people in law and government, such as Police Officers and Presidents, are the epitome of virtue. They are to be honored and viewed as good, not evil. As history states in Machiavelli, The Prince and in present times, those values have not held to be true and many inconsistencies along with false promises throughout have caused this society to have substandard morals and beliefs. The velocity and intensity of doing something immoral in effort to gain fame and popularity are rampant.

A boss (a foolish man) relies on its authority (power and wealth), operates in ethical egoism, and only sees that their way is the highway.  Whereas, a leader (a wise man) finds strength in unity, accepts blame, relies on goodwill, and develops others unconditionally and honorably. My views clearly clash with those of Machiavelli.