Niccolo Machiavelli: The chief foundations of all states, whether new, old, or mixed, are good laws and good arms.
Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines politics as, "the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy." People often refer to Niccolo Machiavelli's "the Prince" when generating a plan to establish themselves in politics and identify allies.
Chapter 3 discusses various types of monarchies: old, new and mixed. Machiavelli gives two reasons why people tend to favor the old monarchy: they are familiar with their style of governing and gain support by giving people political favoritism. Either way it is difficult for a new monarchy to establish itself even when the crown or control is passed to a natural heir. In fact, a Prince must earn position through merit.
Over a decade ago a Governor in Oregon was implicated for sexually harassing a women working in his office. Outraged the people of Oregon demanded his resignation. The replacement surprised everyone. Lumber companies took control. Forests were leveled leaving only couple of rows of natural growth along the freeway. In retrospect, the governor's inappropriate behavior paled in comparison to new leadership's action.
Previously the people of Portland thought states should aspire to their standard of living. The economy was stable with reasonable ratios between wages and cost-of-living. They had extraordinary health benefits. Health benefits were only second to Canada. Visiting friend of the family a few years ago we discussed the intensity of politics. Government was establishing rings around cities. Advertised as preventing further development into the forests, it was protecting their major resource: trees. Trying to find ways to protect wildlife and establish national parks many were looking to Olympia who already experienced ongoing turmoil between loggers and environmentalist.
Incumbents are favored because people do not want to take risks. How does a person gain support from the established monarchy and establish themselves as an individual? Whether gaining status through succession or acquisition, developing a reputation is difficult.
Machiavelli believes the difference between heroes and villains is in gaining popular support; however, when people are content with leaders popular candidates are ignored. In the United States there will be a new President every eight years. All other offices can be held for a lifetime. Senator Hatch of Utah is beyond retirement age. His tenor gives Utah leverage despite having few electoral votes. Too often people want to seize power; however, working in lower levels is how a person establishes a reputation. Writing about opinions, establishing community support and sharing general personal information allows a person to become more predictable and less threatening. Even if disagreeing on issue it is possible block unfavorable actions.
The successful politician recognizes allies and overcome obstacles to gain community support. If they handle issues with sensitivity towards all effected parties, they also gain support from previous skeptics. People say politicians are double-talkers and never really support one side or the other. This is fairly true, because "the Prince" exposes a contrary effect in one of his major points. He states a prince should always declare himself as a friend or enemy because anyone remaining neutral becomes spoils for the victor. Declaration became his undoing when Lorenzo lost power (further explained in "the Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli).
People should declare a primary alliance; however, having a degree of neutrality is important. There is a difference between supporting an ideal and a party. Politicians should be visionaries. When someone retracts their word, they gain an unstable reputation in the public's eye, because it looks as though they lied. Full support to a party creates an "all-or-nothing" mentality. When the party loses an individual loses all political influence. By supporting various issues, regardless of the figurehead, a person establishes they are representing a cause. This implies integrity. It also increases alliances across party lines because a wide variety of people can support one cause. Party affiliation is limited to succession and protection. In addition, after being accepted by a party the other party will accuse members of unscrupulous behavior. If considered treacherous, no political leader will trust them again.
In chapter 23 Machiavelli writes a prince should shun flattery. Some people believe this is how a person identifies friends. I believe this is how a person avoids conceit. Flattery is great. Some people are orientated to see the best parts of life and cannot help flattering everyone; however, they are at a deficit because they are unable to identify flaws or correct a course of action. Some people only see flaws. They work on improving weaknesses and even as friends become unpleasant. A person should strive to see both strengths and weaknesses in order to give the best advice. That is why I believe people who can deliver honest criticism with flattery and advice have the most accurate opinions.
Growing up I started seeing flaws more than the best in everything. Hazardous when picking a major in college, instead of, strengthening my strengths I wished to learn new things. It was difficult attending class. After practicing finding at least one good thing about any person or situation my mentality changed. It was important to identify my strengths and the new major was easier to obtain. Between flatters and naysayers a person identifies both strengths and weaknesses. While strengthening a weakness is a worthy practice it is time consuming with limited results. Strengthening strength empowers people. Optimists learn to avoid pitfalls from pessimists, yet pessimists learn how to use time effectively from optimists.
People believe communication originates from the top and rolls down. People on the lower levels only accept information without question. Studies related to functioning businesses and political organizations found vertical communication involves everyone contributing from the highest ranks to the lowest ranks. In fact, if implemented properly everyone should be a prince or princess. Everyone is capable of contributing and contributes to the functioning of the whole.
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