Plato and Machiavelli’s Views of Political Leadership, Essay Example

Discuss both the similarities and differences between Plato and Machiavelli’s views of political leadership.

Introduction

Excerpts from Niccole Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Plato’s “The Republic” are renowned for having intensely shaped politics and leadership. Their assumptions and views on how governments should be run are today in extensive use. Machiavelli has often been referred to as a political realist, despite the fact that his views did urge particular courses of action. Plato has been described as an idealist. The question is, however, whether the actions they advocated are compatible.

Similarities

Machiavelli and Plato believed through different means that among a leader’s primary objective should be to create and sustain a regulated, orderly and unified state. To this end, Plato promoted the idea that a leader should be good, just and free from corruption. On the other hand, Machiavelli believed that a leader should be less concerned more about pragmatism, awareness and shrewdness and less on morality.

Both men believed that a leader should have the power, as well as be strong and enlightened. Additionally, a ruler should act in the interest of the people through his leadership. Machiavelli believed that a ruler must be aware of what to do as well as be able to do what is necessary. Leaders must, therefore, make tough decisions and make any needed sacrifices for the good of the state. According to Plato, a leader should have the power as well as be strong, since no one else is fit to rule for those who can.

Plato and Machiavelli also agree that to create good civilisation, virtue is needed and that when virtue is missing and rules are unjust and do not comply with the laws of the land, each civilisation, whether in Carthage, Athens and Rome can fall.

Differences

A glaring difference is Machiavelli’s view that people should be left alone to make it easier for the leader to be continually supported by the people. On the other hand, Plato believed that the government should constantly and directly interfere with the people in order to make their lives more virtuous.

Machiavelli attributed to the realistic view while Plato subscribed to the idealistic view. In the realistic view, Plato viewed that the good of the world is found in spiritual liberation and that philosophies of a ruler should be backed by similar spiritual background but different actions. Plato believed that a leader should steer his subjects towards gaining intellectual and spiritual knowledge by educating his people. Machiavelli also believed that a leader’s primary duty should be built on maintaining his position of power and authority. In addition, a consolidated nation can bring security and happiness. Hence, maintaining power is most important. Machiavelli also believed that a ruler should be feared and not loved, and that cruelty is permitted in order to consolidate his authority.

Unlike Machiavelli, Plato believed that a leader should be virtuous and caring for his people rather than maintaining his position of authority. To Plato, a leader should be loved rather than feared and that the ruler’s primary duty is to maintain a virtuous nation. A leader’s duty is, therefore, the guardian of the people, who introduces some spiritual good to the subjects. Unlike Plato, Machiavelli also believed that people are naturally bad and disorderly. Hence regulations and laws are crucial since proper justification is necessary.

Conclusion

Philosophers Machiavelli and Plato suggested insightful political points of view on political leadership. These views were split into two, realistic and idealistic. After analysis of the differences and similarities of Machiavelli and Plato’s political insights, it is easy to conclude that Machiavelli advocated for dictatorship and a strict rule, while Plato advocated for free less restricted society. The two are more incompatible in their views.