Machiavelli’s claim that some valuable ends (goals) justify means that may conflict with our basic values, lead me to claim that; if Machiavelli were living today, he would probably say, you can easily understand the practical of what i explain theoretically to you by looking Erdogan, who is even passed me. Erdogan is a ruler who started with the claim of “we will be the fortunate of the unfortunates”, and ended with a claim of “whoever you are, you shall obey”.
I do not know if Erdogan has read Machiavelli ever, or is he aware of “the Prince”, but Machiavelli totally reminds me him. I thought it when i read Erdogan’s quote that “Democracy is an instrument, not a goal.” And i thought it again when i see the lovenessness to him nowadays. In the class while reading Machiavelli, i read his claims that “Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved” thought it again.
Machiavelli’s understanding of ruling that the ends justify the means, simply justifies cheating, imposture, betraying to remain his power for a ruler. Erdogan obviously adopted this understanding and he established relations based on fear and restrain with his opponents. The ones who did not shared same opinions with Erdogan, always denigrated by him. Because, he had an attitude only grounded on power, if he would not be denigrate he must denigrate others. Machiavelli would be so happy to see this prince’s success, but i wonder that would he be happy to see the situation of the public ruled by him.
I think your point makes sense in that it seems Machiavelli, having witnessed political turmoil and instability through his entire life, wants the ruler to keep his position at all costs (because to him, it seems, any other option will eventually result in a civil war). Erdogan can be considered Machiavellian in that regard.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think he would like Erdogan at all, because the whole point of a ruler, according to Machiavelli, is helping the nation prosper and creating a safe, nice, healthy environment for the public. Machiavelli's prince is very selfish and cruel when it comes to keeping his throne and maintaining this secure, prospering environment for his people, but he's pretty self-sacrificing in every other way - like, he's not allowed to try to remain on his throne so that he can get richer. So I don't think Machiavelli would like Erdogan very much. :>