I think it appropriate to mention Machiavellianism in the context of study of nihilism and Existentialism. Recall that in a previous posting we mentioned several different areas where nihilistic thinking manifests itself. One of those was in the area of politics and power (social control). Machiavellianism is also seen expressed by politicians and revolutionaries, by the rich elite who control large work forces. So what is Machiavellianism? It is of course the political theory of Niccolo Machiavelli, the view that politics should be amoral and that any means may be used in achieving, retaining, or increasing political power.
Wrote one author on the political philosophy of Niccolo Machiavelli and the "Politics of Fear" (here - emphasis mine)
"Only a few years before Martin Luther shook the world with his 95 Theses, Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a short book that would revolutionize political theory for the next 500 years. Since that time, Machiavelli’s thought has been applied not only to politics but also to education and business. As this month marks the anniversary of Machiavelli’s birth, it is an appropriate occasion to reflect on his legacy."
Anyone with power over others, be they politicians, bureaucrats, bosses, business leaders, the rich, leaders in science and technology, etc., with few exceptions, use every available means, good or bad, to hold on to power. The means they use are very old and time tested. These are they who have power to coerce, to control, to manipulate, to makes slaves of all. Today we see this philosophy at work on a large scale in America and in the world. The "power elite" have power to "cancel" you out with threats of job firing, persecution, and other evils. It can truly be said that Satan himself is the archetype Machiavellian. It is the same kind of power relationship that peasants and serfs of old were under to their land "lords." If you did not do the will of the lord you would be kicked off the land and made to starve.
The same author wrote further:
"Machiavelli, in a distinct break from historical political philosophy, is among the first to remove any concern of morality from the exercise of political power. The Prince (book title - SG) reveals that Machiavelli rightly understood that human nature is deeply corrupt and selfish. Therefore, a prince must be vigilant in order to prevent rebellion and disorder if he is to maintain his kingdom or if he wishes to secure new territories."
In believing that human nature was so evil, the princes and other rulers needed to keep it in check by political power. That this is good and right so far as it goes no Christian would deny. Good leaders and those with power over others should be "a terror to evil works." (Rom. 13: 3). This is the ideal situation, but it has rarely been the norm historically with governments and other autocratic authorities. Oftentimes those in power become a terror themselves, and become a terror to good works, persecuting the godly and extolling the ungodly. This was the case with the Nazis. The Nazis were both nihilistic and Machiavellian. The liberals and socialists today are also Machiavellian in theory and practice.
The author says further:
"If a state loves and respects its leader, there is little cause for unease in his heart. However, it is impossible for a prince to please all of his people all of the time. Therefore, in almost all circumstances, the best course of action for a ruler is to instill fear in the people. If fear overwhelms the hearts of the citizens, there is no chance of rebellion. Machiavelli writes, “It has to be noted that men must be either pampered or crushed because they can get revenge for small injuries but not for grievous ones”. The spirit of rebellion must be so severely punished that there is no chance of the dissenters ever recovering."
It is when the people are in fear of an enemy that they give their governmental leaders more power to fight that enemy. The giving of such power takes away from the freedom of citizens. Each of the two world wars gave power and authority to the federal government that it had not had before. Liberals today want to create fears, and to create enemies (real or imagined), such as climate change (carbon), Covid and other diseases, or a certain ethnic or social group, etc. In doing this they are looking for more power to be given to them by the citizens to fight those enemies, and that is what those in power want - more power. Hitler was good at labeling certain groups as "enemies to be feared," such as the Jews. So too was Stalin. So too are the world's worst tyrants and dictators.
The author says further:
"The most famous passage from The Prince is in an answer to the question “Is it better to be loved than feared?” Machiavelli’s answer to this question is quite familiar to modern day readers. He writes, “The answer is that one would like to be both one and the other; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both”. The underlying logic for this answer comes in Machiavelli’s next sentence regarding human nature: “One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit”. The deep-seated wickedness within the heart of man forces the ruler to strike fear into his people, though, Machiavelli argues, not in such a way as to arouse hatred."
Of our first president, George Washington, it was said that he was "loved" by Americans. He was not feared but loved and that love for him is what helped to unify our young nation. Our politicians, especially on the liberal left, do not want to be loved, though they do want to be "admired," but want power, want control over the lives of their citizens. Further, most often the rulers, the bosses, whether in government or business corporations, are morally worse than their citizens. How can they expect to be an example of good? How can they punish evil if they do not punish themselves?
The author says further:
"Machiavelli’s principles are so menacing because they lead a ruler to act in his best interest rather than in the best interest of those in his care."
Sad to say, this is commonplace among the ruling elite in both government and business. When leaders care more about their own interest above and beyond that of its citizens, then the consequences are bad for the citizens. The author says further:
"According to Machiavelli, a ruler must always behave in his best interest. A ruler need not keep his word, if it is to his advantage, but he should keep his word when it is beneficial to do so."
Such rulers, however, as the bible teaches, are a curse to people.
The author says further:
"Again, recognizing the inherent corruption of the human heart, Machiavelli argues, “If all men were good this precept would not be good, but because men are wretched creatures who would not keep their word to you, you need not keep your word to them”. Here, Machiavelli abandons all notions that a leader is or should be held to a higher moral standard than the average person. He adopts something like an inversion of the Golden Rule “do evil unto others as they would do evil unto you.” Men will not always love you, but “fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective”. The fear of punishment and the fear of a ruler will never fade, while love for a ruler will."
This philosophy about ruling over others has taken over our leaders and citizens are suffering for it. Said David, a ruler who did not follow the philosophy of Machiavelli:
"The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God." (II Sam. 23: 3)
Rulers ought to be "servants" of the people, of the workers.
The author says further:
"The lasting legacy of Machiavelli’s authoritarian pragmatism is evident in the political philosophy that follows. While he rightly understands the problem of human sinfulness, he mistakenly proposes a solution that requires the use of fear and punishment rather than justice and righteousness. Machiavelli influenced men such as Thomas Hobbes who, in his 1651 work Leviathan, identified the need for a strong, authoritarian government to correct the natural state of man which is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Meanwhile, in the present, certain candidates for the United States presidency have signaled their willingness to abandon morality and justice in order to combat terrorism, even carrying the fight so far as to punish and kill the families of terrorists in order to prevent such acts from occurring in the future. This Machiavellian mentality can only lead to the oppression of the masses and to the sad destruction of liberty."
"The need for a strong, authoritarian government" is exactly what our ungodly leaders affirm. They look upon their "subjects" as vastly inferior and they themselves examples of the highest values. Yet, often it is they who are the true "poor, nasty, brutish" sort.
Machiavelli Quotations
“There is no avoiding war, it can only be postponed to the advantage of your enemy.”
This is the philosophy of Mao Tse Tung, who formed China into the totalitarian monster it is today. It is also the thinking of gangster mobs. It was the philosophy of Hitler and of every tyrant.
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
That is true. What type of people do our leaders have around them? Any Rasputin types?
“Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”
This is also one of the "wiles of the Devil." He used deception in the Garden of Eden to ruin our race. Are our leaders deceiving us?
“The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.”
This was the view that our forefathers who saw Washington as a man to be esteemed and loved, who was "first in the hearts of his countrymen." Our leaders today, however, would rather be feared than loved.
Said Solomon, one who possessed great power as a leader:
"Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." (Prov. 25: 19)
It is painful indeed to live under the power of such rulers.
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