Contrasting Machiavelli and Washington
Thomas Allen
The author of Internal Relations of the Cities, Towns, Villages, Counties, and States of the Union; re, The Municipalist: A Highly Useful Book for Voters, Tax-Payers, Statesmen, Politicians and Families, second edition (New York: Ross & Tousey, Dexter & Brothers and William Radde, 1859), pages 192-193, contrasts the political philosophy of Niccolo Machiavelli as presented in the Prince and George Washington as presented in his farewell address. His contrast follows.
Machiavelli identifies a hereditary prince at the head of a consolidated monarchy as the best form of government.
Washington identifies a federal republic under one elective executive as the best form of government.
Machiavelli treats more on subjects, and their prudent management.
Washington treats more political business, and its good organization, distribution, and performance.
Machiavelli advises his prince how to conquer a republic by ruining it and keeping down influential men.
Washington maintains that liberty ought to be the main pillar of the Union.
Machiavelli suggests that the prince must manage public affairs, so that in all places, times, and occasions, the people may need his administration and regimen, or that he has his hands in everything.
Washington sees the proper organization and distribution of public business as the best guarantee for the safety of both the people and the government.
Machiavelli argues that a prince is to have no other thought or study but war.
Washington believes that by our Union we will avoid the necessity of overgrown military establishments.
Machiavelli thinks a prince may not shun vices and infamy if he can only preserve thus his dominion.
Washington believes that honesty is the best policy.
Machiavelli claims that a prince ought not to keep his parole when it is to his prejudice.
Washington believes that all engagements should be observed in their genuine sense, justice, and good faith toward all nations.
Machiavelli holds that having all the good qualities in reality is necessary for a prince, and to play the hypocrite well.
Washington believes that honesty, virtue, and morality are necessary springs of popular government.
Machiavelli believes that the prince ought to be terrible at home to his subjects, and abroad to his equals.
Washington believes that the ideal is a life under the benign influence of good laws under a free government.
Machiavelli argues that a prince must recommend himself to the world through great enterprises and valor (of course expensive things), and monopolize knowledge.
Washington is for peace, economy, and diffusion of knowledge.
Machiavelli advises his prince never to league with another more powerful than himself.
Washington is against all entangling alliances.
Machiavelli warns the prince of the snares of women.
Washington warns of the wiles of party and faction.
Machiavelli advocates rank king-craft.
Washington advocates undefined democracy.
The author also contrasts virtues with vices, page 301:
Virtues: Justice, self-control, attention, honesty, veracity, truth, prudence, politeness, piety, charity, modesty, simplicity, economy, patience, sobriety, pudicity, industry, conscientiousness, fortitude, glory, patriotism, righteousness, love, humanity.
Vices: Injustice, carelessness, recklessness, faithlessness, dishonesty, falsehood, calumny, intrigue, slander, hypocrisy, imprudence, inurbanity, profanity, inhumanity, avarice, impudence, extravagance, prodigality, passion, intemperance, lewdness, free love, laziness, treachery, perfidy, cowardice, bombast, treason, villainy, corruption, hatred, vengeance, cruelty, barbarism.
Copyright © 2024 by Thomas Coley Allen.
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