Analysis Of An Ideal Governmen Essay Research

Analysis Of An Ideal Governmen Essay, Research Paper

Analysis of an ideal government

Niccolo Machiavelli, the author of a well known political essay, The Prince, was a

republican in Italy when his country was divided into city-states. He wrote this essay in prison,

and tried to inspire the ruler to defend his country and maintain his power. Confucius, one of the

greatest Chinese philosophers, wrote The Sacred Books of Confucius. In his essay, he taught his

students how to be a virtuous ruler and how to set up a good example to govern his people. They

both had some different opinions about human itself , the character of a ruler, and the issue of the

punishment of the disobedient. While Confucius believed a virtuous ruler should make a good

example for his innocent people, and reform or educate them to be the greatest follower and to be

loyal to himself, Machiavelli thought that since all humans are evil, Confucius s idea of setting up

a good example for the people would not changed the basic character of human being instead an

experienced ruler should be feared from everyone when he appeared to be faithful for them.

In Confucius essay, he showed his love for all humans kind. He believed human nature

can be good, that human beings are born with no given, definable nature at all and are therefore

infinitely malleable. He stated that . the virtue of the prince is the wind, and that of the common

people the grass. The grass bends in the direction of the wind .(197). He compared human beings

to the grass, who always follow their example or leader and go the same direction as he is. He

viewed a human being as a natural creature whose nature could be explained causally in terms of

impressions coming from the environment. By the meaning of the following, Confucius believed

human nature also can be taught. It can be changed from evil to good, from dishonest to upright.

When his student asked him .what more shall be done for the people. x He replied .enrich them! x

His student asked again .and when they are enriched, what more shall be done. x .educate them! x

he replied without hesitation(198). He truly believed people can be rectified by their ruler. They

would have the same character or behavior as their ruler, their leader.

In contrast, Machiavelli believed human nature cannot be changed. It is selfish and

aggressive by nature. By stating .man in general that they are ungrateful, voluble, dissemblers,

anxious to avoid danger, and covetous of gain; as long as you benefit them, they are entirely

yours;…but when it[danger] approaches, they revolt x(184), he viewed ordinary people as

inherently and thoroughly self-centered, seeking their own pleasure either through sensuality or

personal glory if not simply to have a good opinion of themselves. For him, to be human is to be

cruel, cheap, mean, jealous, possessive, lazy, exploitative. Love and seeming sacrifice for others

are really forms of pretense, and are .held by a chain of obligation which, men being selfish, is

broken whenever it serves their purpose x(184). Therefore, he concluded that people cannot be

trusted. A ruler .who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparation, is

ruined x (184). During the time of peace, they will be loyal to you and obey your order. But when

the dangers come by or their profits are being threatened, they would betray you and put you in

the worst situation before they would get into it. A prince should be feared by the people as

Machiavelli said, .it is much safer to be feared than loved, if one of the two has to be

wanting x(184). The way to govern the people s evil nature, Machiavelli believed, is not to change

it but to control it through strict political , moral, or spiritual discipline. He believed that each

individual required the organization of a society of law and order and unquestioning obedience to

a strong ruler.

A true ruler, as Confucius believed, should love his people, keep faith with them, have

good behavior and virtue. For him ordinary people are ultimately more important than either

power or territory. The most learned and the most virtuous can aspire to positions of status, trust,

and responsibility. For a ruler, he said . approach the people with dignity…and they will be

respectful. Show filial piety and kindness, and they will be loyal x(196). He believe a ruler should

provide education for the people as well, and .promote those who are worthy, and train those

who are incompetent; and they will be encouraged to cultivate virtues x(196). He stated that

political power is charged with the responsibility to give ethical direction to members of society in

the name of peace, security, protection, and human well-being. While a prince needed to educated

his people, he needed to set up a good example for them as well. He wrote .If a prince has

rendered himself upright, he will have no difficulty in governing the people. But if he cannot

rectify himself, how

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