In the history of political thought, the name of Niccolò Machiavelli is widely discussed. In 1532, through his book The Prince, he offered principles and advice for state governance that reshaped Western political thinking.
How a ruler should seize and preserve power, how to govern subjects, how to suppress enemies—on these issues Machiavelli gave so-called realistic yet morally detached instructions, which made him both famous and controversial. His philosophy can be summarized in a few core principles.
First, at the center of politics lies power—not morality or humanity. Second, he emphasized that ethics and practical necessity are not the same in governance. Often, a ruler must be harsh or deceptive, even beyond conventional morality. Third, it is good if subjects love their ruler, but fear brings much more enduring and secure control. Fourth, a ruler must be strong like a lion and cunning like a fox.
Needless to say, since Machiavelli’s time these views have provoked immense criticism. Many political scientists and philosophers consider his perspective a blatant disregard for public welfare and human morality.
Advising rulers to rely on deception, fear, or even brutality for retaining power stands in sharp opposition to human ideals and democratic values. In democracy, it is not the ruler but the people who are sovereign. The foundation of governance in democracy is the people’s free will, their rights, their freedom of expression.
Yet, The Prince portrays the ruler not as a representative of the people but as a solitary holder of absolute power. Therefore, if any ruler in a democratic state follows Machiavelli’s counsel, that path inevitably leads toward dictatorship and inhumanity. Rule based on fear erodes public trust and support.
Once unpopular, rulers tend to adopt even harsher measures to cling to power—silencing dissent, curtailing civil rights—knowing that the loss of power would mean their downfall. Thus, any advice that forces rulers into a politics of perpetual fear is unhealthy for democracy.
Unfortunately, many rulers in the Third World still appear to govern as if guided by The Prince. They believe that instilling fear among people, curbing personal freedom, and chaining movement and expression will silence opposition.
However, the foundations of a modern state rest on different principles: the assurance of rights, freedom of expression, liberty of movement, fair justice, and equality. Ordinary citizens may not care much about complex theories of governance, power struggles, or who holds office.
But when their fundamental freedoms are obstructed, they clearly recognize that the state has grown unhealthy. To restrict freedom of speech and movement is to suffocate civic life—and such suffocation breeds unrest, resentment, and rebellion.
Therefore, in today’s world, where democratic principles are globally acknowledged, ruling a state through fear, deception, and cruelty in the manner of Machiavelli’s The Prince is extremely dangerous.
The true foundations of modern political thought lie in public trust, justice, and the right of ordinary people to live freely. A ruler who forgets this in the present age is not wise but foolish.
For such rulers, far-sighted political thinkers can only offer pity—because in time, such rulers must pay the price of their folly.
This is why rulers must be far-sighted. Otherwise, the suffering of the people knows no end.
