Government Can Be A Guardian Or A Tyrant
LIBERTY OR TYRANNY? Having a strong government to protect you might keep you safe, but your rights will be in danger. |
The first inevitable consequence of independence is to form a new government. According to Machiavelli, “New “principalities are either governed by a prince or they are ruled by the free.”
Since those who landed on the shores of Plymouth had a common goal for liberty and independence, there was little question as to what type of government they wanted. It had to be democratic? But, determining what flavor of democracy became a sinuous experiment in courage. Our framers moved cautiously trying to determine, “Is it better to be loved or feared?” (Machiavelli)
After much deliberation at the Philadelphia convention of 1787, all attempts to salvage the Articles of Confederation failed. Federalists James Madison and Alexander Hamilton felt it easier to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. After much debate and heated deliberation it was determined that we would be blessed with the distinction of republican superintendence.
At the time our constitution was drafted people questioned: “Why a republic and not a democracy”? Ben Franklin explained, “A republic has a constitutional charter of rights that protects certain inalienable privileges that cannot be taken away by the government.
In a pure democracy, the majority is not restrained, and can impose its will on the minority.” Although this seemed to appease many who challenged this integrity of legislative principles, the idea of a republic was still difficult for many to comprehend. “Men intrinsically do not trust new things.” (Machiavelli)
According to Machiavelli, “Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.”
Although Madison and Hamilton were ardent federalists who favored a strong central government, and feared too much power in the hands of the masses, they realized that a society that puts self reward before freedom, will end up with neither because they will trade their freedom eagerly for indulgences.
That is why they looked for an equitable compromise; a republic, “Capable of inspiring the people with a just recognition of the fundamental principles of society.” (Machiavelli)
By presenting us with a constitution, a rule of laws, no majority could impose its will on the minority and no minority could inflict theirs upon the majority. They were also aware with a republic; their Federalist views of strength in central power would still remain relevant.
Because, “A wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need of the state and of him, and then he will always find them faithful.” (Machiavelli)
Throughout our young history this has presented us with opportunities. Although we were rewarded with a republican government, many of the principles of a democracy are found within it. And there is one obvious and disturbing flaw: They are subservient to the actions of those who participate. “Men change their rulers willingly, hoping to better themselves—–wherein they are deceived because they afterward find, by experience they have gone from bad to worse.” (Machiavelli)
Society has grown tolerant of bad government since they are now granted great favors from the republican treasury. Such a compromise to achieve this level of guardianship empowers their “elected officers” to assume the role of “princes” who rule dictatorially.
They continue to elect those who promise to gratify and protect them with no regard for republican ideology. They are aware, “He who becomes a prince through the favor of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed.” (Machiavelli)
One must look no further than the fall of the Roman Empire, to see how quickly a great nation can succumb to political corruption, urban decay, and moral decadence. Its waterloo is hidden inside every Trojan horse. Just before the fall there were 32,000 prostitutes in Rome, the streets became cancerous beds of homeless and alcohol abuse was rapid. Incompetence displaced education.
During its last 100 years, Rome had 37 different emperors. Their favorite pastime was watching human slaughter in the Coliseum. To protect the wealthy from the heathens that roamed the streets, the emperors raised taxes frequently which destroyed the value of the currency. By 476 AD the cities fell to ruin. “The demise of a principality is inevitable with inept leadership.” (Machiavelli)
Our governments reflect the soul of our people. According to Machiavelli, “Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.” Although the Roman Empire survived 503 years, the average age of most of our world’s greatest civilizations has been a mere two hundred years.
Greed, corruption and lack of citizen interaction gave their rulers autonomous control of their empires. And this is the dichotomy that all nations face. When elected officials fail to realize it is the wealth created by free people in a free market that made their nations great, their commonwealths morph into history. “A wise prince cautiously guards the loyalty of his subjects.” (Machiavelli)
Machiavelli said, “A citizen who desires to employ his authority in a republic for some public good must first of all suppress all feelings of envy.” The US was founded as a reaction to taxation, tariffs, and restrictions on wealthy traders. Contrary to belief, many “colonialists” were content agrarians. But efforts to shame these apathetic yeomen into action managed to arouse a reluctant public to bring this great experiment in freedom to fruition.
But through the years we have allowed many of our leaders to become “princes” rather than “statesmen”. As we continue to trade votes for favors from the treasury we are bartering away our liberty. Is history repeating itself? Is our next leader going to be a guardian of the republic or a despotic prince of the kingdom? “Everything that occurs in the world, in every epoch, has something that corresponds to it in ancient times.” (Machiavelli)
We must all hope that the recent rebirth of republican patriotism we have experienced in the last decade will rekindle the smoldering flames of freedom and resurrect our once proud republic from the ashes of obstreperous complacency. Our Renaissance must fortify our harmonic desire for self governance through responsible interaction with our rulers. Machiavelli claimed, “He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.”
We must change the course of history and the metamorphosis of our culture to succumb to the abstract ideals of The Prince, or we will segue into the annals of antiquity and reside along those that achieve the fall of Rome and other former great nations.
Even Machiavelli realized that there is hope if “we the people” decide to demonstrate a willingness to survive. “In Republics there is a stronger vitality, a fiercer hatred, a keener thirst for revenge. The memory of their former freedom will not let them rest; so that the safest course is either to destroy them, or to go and live in them.”
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William Haupt III is a retired professional journalist, citizen legislator in California for 40 plus years, and author. He contributed this article to Watchdog Arena, Franklin Center’s network of writers, bloggers, and citizen journalists.
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