EHS EST World History/World Literature

Monday, January 23, 2006

Read the excerpt from "The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli found in your text (pg. R50, in the back).
Respond to the following prompt yourself. You must also read and respond to the comment of at least one of your peers.

4. What characteristics does your ideal leader have? Explain.
Could your ideal leader ever be Machiavellian? Why or why not?

posted by Tanya Judd Pucella at 2:08 PM

53 Comments:

  • The characteristics my ideal leader would have are quick decision-making skills, knowledge, control, strength, fairness, honesty, and communication. Yes, my
    ideal leader could be Machiavellian, as long as they didn't take it to the extreme and go crazy with their power. -Emma Robbinson

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:29 PM  

  • Ideally, a leader is someone who is both capable of listening to his people’s opinions and his own and is able to find a safe balance between the two. A leader should be someone who puts the people’s wellbeing before his own, socially and economically and genuinely cares about the outcome his actions may have upon his followers. Through these traits, my ideal leader would demonstrate his desire to be loved by the people rather than feared, and to make crucial decisions with the consent of a majority of his followers rather than make them based on his own judgment; because of this, I do not feel my ideal leader could be considered Machiavellian. - Natalia C.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:05 PM  

  • Emma - I agree with you in the characteristics needed by what I would consider to be a good ruler. And looking at things from your perspective, having a Machiavellian leader would not be so bad if things were not too extreme. However, I would rather be led by someone who strives to be loved and thus followed rather than be cruel and feared in order to maintain power - Natalia

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:14 PM  

  • I believe a leader should be honest and make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens. A leader can be strong without being feared.

    My ideal leader could not be Machiavellian since I believe a leader should be honest with the citizens he governs. People will not trust a dishonest leader. Our leaders are elected and can be removed if the people loose confidence in them.
    -Caroline Maddox

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:41 PM  

  • Emma, i also agree with you on your ideal characteristics performed by a leader, because i believe that they are quality characteristics essential to maintain a successful leader. On the other hand, i agree with Natalia on behalf of her ideal leader desiring to be loved by the people rather than feared because a leader is cabable of being strong and successful without being feared by the people.
    -Caroline Maddox

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:34 PM  

  • My ideal lwader would have to have many different characteristics. They must be honest, trustworthy, helpful, kind, cheerful, and versatile. These charateristics are needed because I need to be able to depend on my ideal leader and they should be able to change plans whenever something changes or something new comes up. My ideal leader would also have to be able to have fun but can snap back to being serious when the time comes. My ideal leader would also have to be fair and just because the person who I look up to must have a great sense of right and wrong and take proper action. My ideal could be Machiavellian as long as they do not take it to the extremes. If my leader is strict and I am somewhat afraid of them, I need to know where they are coming from. I just cannot put my trust in someone that would leave me in the dark about what they are doing and why.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:44 PM  

  • above comment is mine
    -Arthur J

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:44 PM  

  • I somewhat agree with Natalia. I really believe that the citizens should have at least some say in how their lives will be run. I also agree that the leader should put the people's lives before their own. I would not want a leader that might just run out on me when I need him. I also would not want a leader who would drive the economy down and make everything worse than it was to begin with *cough*bush*cough*
    -Arthur J

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:51 PM  

  • The characteristics that I believe that my ideal leader must have the ability to think quickly on decisions that could endanger his land. I say this because you would not want a leader who does not have the capabilities to make decisions in a time of war, that have to be split second decisions. An example would be if a plane is taken over by terrorist we need a leader that can make split second decisions in a heated moment on what routes to take in order to lessen the amount of casualities.
    The second characterisitic of my ideal leader is that my leader must allow freedom to all of those that live within the land but limit some rights that protect the nation as a whole. I say this because I would not like a leader that has everyone follow only his beliefs in religion, education, and career paths for specific people. This would become to much like a communism which I know no one really likes. But, also with the freedom, some rights need to be limited in order to protect others. An example would be the gun laws that provide stringent rules on what a person can do with a weapon, but provides this person with the freedom to carry this weapon in his home as long as it is registered with the Government or Local Police Agency.
    My ideal leader could never be Machiavellian simply because of his thoughts that "the ends justify the means". This would lead to problems such as widespread death in order to protect something that may not be important to the nation as a whole. A leader that runs by ends justify the means are mostly going to end up killing hundreds of thousands, and injuring millions. A good example would be Malcolm X which thought that the ends justify the means. So what he did was take any means which meant hurting those who hurt you in order to provide equality to the blacks. But, Martin Luther King Jr. which did not run by these means ended up with a better result than Malcolm X who decided to hurt many in order to prove his point.
    JOSIAS C.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:06 PM  

  • I believe that Emma is correct with her characteristics for the perfect leader which were decision-making skills, knowledge, control, control, strenth, fairnessm honesty, and communication. But, I dont think that an Ideal leader couldnt be Machiavellian since his main point is "The end justify the means" which isn't a good motto for a leader

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:09 PM  

  • My ideal leader would be able to make clear decisions based on my country's circumstances and be able to predict the outcome of what will happen. This will prevent many negative results from happenning. My ideal leader would also be in touch with his people, and let them know what is going on in the government.
    My ideal leader could be slightly Machiavellian, but not too much. Sacrifices always have to be made, but just because a large gain justifies a large sacrifice (large amounts of people's rights or government money) doesn't mean there could've been a better, although longer, way to do it without sacrifice.
    -Parker K.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:06 PM  

  • I agree with Caroline's characteristic choices for her ideal leader. A leader is supposed to listen to his people and make his decisions based on what they need or what will benefit them more. Gaining support from citizens also brings a leader strength. Looking at the two extremes, I would say that I would rather not have a Machiavellian leader who makes countless sacrifices all for power, but I beleive a small amount of sacrifice are necessary.
    -Parker K.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:10 PM  

  • My ideal leader, if I lived in the Renaissance period would be someone who was compassionate, yet looking out for our best interests in the future. He/She would not be a 100% Machiavellian because they want to have complete control under reign of fear. My leader however, would show compassion for our well-being, and he/she would not be isolated. They would show a compelling nature of not being fully exposed, but still having power over the people.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:16 PM  

  • ^ the one up there is mine

    Aly E.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:16 PM  

  • My ideal leader is just and fair. They would listen to their people's opinions and ideas and decide which is best for all. They would not be concerned with making themselves look good, their actions would speak for them. Most likely my ideal "leader" would not be just one person. I think that in order for a government to be successful it must have a system of checks and balances. Overall, my ideal leader would be like the government of the United States but without the corruption.

    I doubt that my leader could be Machiavellian. It would be hard for a leader to possess the characteristics that I want while enstilling fear in the heart of their citizens. However, the fact remains that if the leader is feared people will be more willing to accept the decisions that they make, even if they were not in favor of them.

    -Danielle Simmons

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:39 PM  

  • I agree with Emma on her thoughts about her ideal leader, however i have to disagree with her on her opinion with her ideal leader being a Machiavellian. I disagree because a Machiavellian doesnt really care about the people and just wants power and his actions to benefit himself in the long run. - Aly E

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:44 PM  

  • I agree with Arthur's description of an ideal leader. A good leader needs to be dependable and respected. If a Machavellian ruler can do this than he would be a good leader. The one thing that a ruler must do is to keep his citizens informed about what he is doing and why. This way they will be more supportive and the country will be more unified.

    -Danielle Simmons

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:45 PM  

  • My ideal leader would be able to make decisions for the good of his land and his people. Even if the decision may be risky, the ruler would know it would benefit everyone. My ideal ruler would also be respectable; someone who I would trust to do what is best for me.

    My ideal leader could not be Machiavellian because I would not want to fear my leader. I would have much more respect and support for my leader if I did not fear him.
    - Elena P.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:50 PM  

  • I agree with Danielle that a leader should not do what is best for him and gaining power, but instead, what is best for his people. I also agree that a government should not be run by just one leader, but rather a system of checks and balances, much like how the U.S. government system is.
    - Elena P.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:56 PM  

  • My ideal leader would be personable, firm, and loved. If the ruler has no people skills, how are they going ot be bale to make speeches and answer the public's questions? Also, the ruler needs to be firm to some extent in order to be taken seriously. However if the leader is too firm, than it goes back to Mchiavelli's ideals, and we all know that that isn't the best idea. Last, a ruler should be loved. If the people do not love who is in power, then they will not listen to them and obey their rules. It is important for a ruler to have all these qualities.

    My ideal ruler could never be Machiavellian. This idea of being brutal and killing people to get what you want, that isn't a good way to go about things at all.
    -Rachel W.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:02 PM  

  • I agree with Natalia's qualities of a good leader. The way that they interact with their people is key in being a good ruler. Knowing what they believe in and how they feel on the subjects also helps. But listening to what the people say is also key in being agood leader. And if you ignore them, then you will not be well received.
    -Rachel W.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:09 PM  

  • I agree with Parker about the amount of Machiavellian principles that the ideal leader should use. He talked about sacrifices that need to be made that an entirely Machiavellian leader might not be willing to make, which is a good point. Sometimes the right decision for everyone may be harder or take longer, but it will be the most beneficial in the end. I also did not think Arthur's degrading comment about President Bush was fully necessary :) -Emma Robbinson

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:31 PM  

  • The ideal characteristics which I look for in a leader are intelligence, honesty, fairness and he must be humane. I view these characteristics as important, because they show a baance of leadership, and kindness. I believe that a leader should be well rounded.
    It is because of this last characteristic that I would not want my ideal leader to be Machiavellian. I do not believe that a person who thinks that property is more important than human life would make an ideal leader. --George Montgomery

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:47 PM  

  • I agree with what Parker Karaus said about the leadership qualities that a good leader must have. I do believe that the ability to see what the future consequences of your actions is very important in a leadership position. -George Montgomery

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:50 PM  

  • My ideal leader is one who is well educated in what he or she is leading me in, and knows what he or she is doing through experience. My ideal leader would avoid hesitation, yet through planning ahead, not via making rash decisions that could lead to negative results. My leader would be strict in his or her techniques, yet patient and respectful to his people. Machiavellian could probably be my ideal leader, only he would have to lighten up a bit on the “frighten your people through cruel discipline” idea. The majority of people are becoming increasingly educated, and thus more independent. They therefore need someone to guide them, not control them as Machiavelli might be accustomed to. - Damien D

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:26 PM  

  • I agree with Natalia's opinion. Her points were well explained, and I agree with how she beleives a leader should focus on his people, rather than himself; listening to them, making decisions based on their voice rather than making decisions on his own judgement, and making sure the outcome of his or her decisions results in the good of the people. - Damien D

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:30 PM  

  • One of the many characteristic that my ideal leader would have is the ability to first put others before his own. Its important to consider your followers wellbeing, because without them, you wouldn't even BE leader! Also a leader with wise-decision making is essential. If put on the spot, my leader needs to be able to quickly sort through his options and decide on one that best suites everyone, not only himself. They must be very honest, fair, and trustworthy. If i can't even trust or rely on my leader, than that would definitely stir up some conflicts right from the start.

    I definitely would not consider my ideal leader to be Machiavellian because a leader should not base solely on the fears of his followers for power. It is about earning power from the love and respect given from the followers and not forcing them against their will.
    -Thao ho

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:07 PM  

  • I really agree with emma and her perspectives on some of the characteristics than an ideal leader should obtain. Quick decision-making skills, knowledge, control, strength, fairness, honesty, and communication are all key concepts of a great leader.

    Im not really too fond about Machivallian as my leader though, like you are. I dont even think i'm open to that idea. I rather have a leader who earns his power intead of forcing power by having his followers fear him.
    -thao ho

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:21 PM  

  • My ideal leader is someone who is successful, bipartisan in his opinions, and capable of compromising his own well-being for the great good of the people his nation. He could be a Machiavellian, but only during times of war and domestic crisis'. As long as he doesn' become the next Stalin, my leader should be trustworthy enough to make decisions based on sound foundations, and ones that will benefit the people as a whole. He'd also needs to be able to listen to others by being bipartisan in legislative meetings and the like. His whole goal during his time in office would be to benefit society to the best of the his ability. -Matthew Goddard

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:16 AM  

  • The ideal leader must be able to control his people and guide his country, therefore he must be intelligent and respected, unfortunately the US fails at these elements at the moment. Also an ideal leader must be fair to the people of whom he governs, so that he gains the trust and acceptance of all of his people. An ideal leader must also have control, the control to restrain his/her emotions and not go to war on a whim, this also allows for communication between rulers and peaceful solutions to problems in the world.-Corey Luttrell

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:52 AM  

  • My ideal leader would firstly have a neutral view concerning religions, ethnic backgrounds and social status. Also my ideal leader would have knowledge of many cultures, and also have many experiences globally. These skills would be essential in a future more peaceful and humanist. My ideal leader could be Machiavellian only in small ideas that he had, for example how he took example of previous leaders.
    Eguzki Osteikoetxea

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:50 PM  

  • I agree with Corey's comment because it is important for a leader to control the people he/she are ruling. Also it is important for a leader to control his/her emotions.
    Eguzki Osteikoetxea

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:54 PM  

  • An ideal leader will work for the best interests of everyone. A leader will stand by what they believe in, but also take into consideration the opinions of others, thus giving the common man a sense of importance. This person would be strong at heart, not giving up when the cause is right, but also having the integrity to back down and admit they were wrong when the time permits. My ideal leader is fair, giving everyone a chance to voice their opinion and taking the opinions of others into consideration rather than relying solely on their own ideas. This person will not allow their emotions to get the best of them, but instead decide the best course of action through reason and examination. Due to my ideal leader’s desire to please his people and ultimatley get love in return, he could not be Machiavellian. Because this leader would listen to the thoughts of his people, conflicts with others would be supported by a majority of the country. This would eliminate the need or desire for cruel training. --Alicia Rinaldi

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:55 PM  

  • Natalia, I completely agree that a leader must create a balance between him and his people by taking into consideration both of their opinions. I also agree that a leader should put the wellbeing of their people before his own. A leader definitely should be someone people want to follow because they will make decisions that reflect the needs of the people as a whole, opposed to the leader alone. –Alicia Rinaldi

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:03 PM  

  • My ideal leader is strong, honest, fair, and has self-control. The leader would also not let his emotions control his decisions, and would have a strong moral fiber that guides him in his life. I believe these qualities would let him make the correct choices for the majority, and it would restrict him from going power crazy.

    My ideal leader could be machiavellian if he did not go to extremes to make himself feared. This could lead to an abuse of power that would not negatively effect the ruler's subjects.Otherwise the qualities of a Machiavellian leader that keep soldiers loyal are very appealing to me. I want my leader to be strong, not a whimp.
    -Neil B

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:59 PM  

  • Parker- I agree that a leader should be able to make clear decisions, but i do not expect him or her to predict the future. My leader should concentrate on knowing how to react to the situations, then be able to make strong decisions to better the people. His strength should be shown on how he reacts during the toughest of times.

    I agree that a leader should let the people know what is going on in the government, but i do believe that there should be some censorship of details. As the founding fathers of our country knew, the people should be involved in government, but too much involvment can have terrible results. A medium between censorship and openness in the government should be reached to optimize communication with the people and their government
    -Neil B

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:04 PM  

  • My ideal leader would have many different qualities. They should be honest and make thier decisions based on the needs and wants of others, not just themselves. They should be selfless, not selfish and avoid abusing their power. Therefore, I do not think that I would support Machiavellian as a leader because a good leader would find a balance between being loved and feared, and not want to be cruel to those below him.
    -Chelsea Smith

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:09 PM  

  • Natalie G. - I agree with your characteristics of a leader.Leaders should not make quick, sudden decisions. I agree that they should keep the interests of the people in mind and do good for the majority. If a leader does not have good LEADERship skills then there is no way they could ever be a good leader.
    -Chelsea Smith

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:13 PM  

  • My ideal leader would be honest and respectful. By being honest and keeping the people in mind, the leader would be greatly favored by the people. They'd know what choices the leader will make and how it will affect them. It's all about respect, and as the old saying goes: if you want respect, show it. Leaders make major desicions for their people, so their opinions will also be considered!
    My ideal leader would have some Machevillian qualities, just to ensure his power and that he isn't being taken advantage by the people.

    [Rosyl I.]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:49 PM  

  • I agree with Emma- all the characteristics she states would make a good leader. Although, my leader wouldn't be completely Machiavellian, only a little; being feared by the people can make them lose interest since their views aren't being considered.

    [Rosyl I.]

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:53 PM  

  • An ideal leader would have the interest of his/her people as their highest priority. In addition to genuine concern for the people, an ideal leader would be capable of making quick and morally sound decisions that the people would respect and agree with. The leader would try to make decisioins that they thought were in the best interest of their country from all aspects and consider the impact it would have on their people, as well as develop a plan of action to aid the people if their decision yielded poor results. Ultimately, I think that a good leader needs to be strong, responsible, and put the needs of the people ahead of their personal desires. -Meghan M.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:22 PM  

  • My ideal leader could be Machiavellian, as long as the deceit that they go about was in the best interest of the people. While I think that it would be better to practice honesty, it is sometimes necessary to maintain a level of secrecy in times of crisis in order to maintain calmness throughout the nation or to protect one's people. -Meghan M.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:28 PM  

  • I agree with what Danielle said about the fact that a leader's decisions and actions should define them rather than trying to present an image. Her idea of a leader sounds fair and as though they would actually gain the respect of the people and have control because their choices would allow them to respect themselves. -Meghan M.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:35 PM  

  • My ideal leader would be respected, hard working, respectful, and loyal. If my leader could be these things and be like Machiavelli’s leader than yes my leader could be a Machiavellian. My leader would also have to be respectful of the people's views in mind that he was ruling; by doing this he could gain the people's respect. If he is a hard working to keep the country’s best interest in mind he would be efficient and loyal.
    -Alex G

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:00 PM  

  • I disagree with what George M. said about how his leader could not be a Machiavellian, I think that a good leader could be a Machiavellian and be very successful, but just because he is a Machiavellian doesn't automatically make him a good leader
    -Alex G

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:04 PM  

  • It would be most ideal for a leader to have his people's and country's best interest at heart. My ideal leader would have to have this quality and other characteristics, including intelligence, compassion, dedication, determination, perserverence, and a strong will. These qualities would allow a leader to care for his people and country, and have the intellect to know the right thing to do. His strong will and dedication would aid him in accomplishing tasks, and his perseverence would get him through it all.

    I do believe my leader could be Machiavellian. I believe a leader's disposition should depend on the kind of government he heads. In more unstable governments,it may be crucial for a leader to be both loved and feared. His people would then have that sense of awe and respect for him. All leaders have enemies and in an unstable government a leader has an icreased chance of getting harmed by them. Thus, the leader should be some what feared to keep those who intend him harm, from taking advantage of him.
    Priya G

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:38 PM  

  • I agree with Natalia's post, in the aspect that a leader should have a safe balance between listening to people's opinions and his own. But I disagree when she says that a leader should always demonstrate the desire to be loved rather than feared. Although a leader may desire to be loved, this is not always possible. If a leader wants to accomplish great things without getting undermined, sometimes that fear is essential.
    Priya G

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:46 PM  

  • An ideal leader would be someone who is open-minded and fair to his people. They would be someone that the people could rely on to make a good decision in a pinch. They must also be intelligent, not just book smart but have the common sense needed to make emotional decisions. They cannot be too soft because a leader must also make military decisions as well. They would also need to be versitile, a renaissance man in their own respect. There are a wide variety of tasks and decisions that need to be accomplished by a leader so versitility is important.

    My ideal leader could have a little Machiavellian in him. I do not believe that you should rule by fear, but a little fear of you is good so that you are not thought of a weak and tried to take advantage of in that respect. However being to feared would cause revolt because with that fear would be hatred.
    -Matt Galatowitsch

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:09 PM  

  • I agree with Priya's statement that "If a leader wants to accomplish great things without getting undermined, sometimes that fear is essential." A leader cannot be too soft if he wants to control the people. If they are not feared in the least and is very trusting they could be easily taken advantage of which is not a good thing in a leader.
    -Matt Galatowitsch

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:22 PM  

  • My ideal leader would have to be, above all else, trustworthy. This is important to me because I would like to be able to trust my leader no matter what the situation, and there shouldn't be any doubt in my mind that he will do what is right for the nation he rules. Some other important characteristics of my ideal leader would be honesty, the ability to think and act quickly, and decision making based on what is best for his nation.
    I would not choose Machiavellian as my ideal leader because I could not trust him. Instead of gaining loyalty through his leadership, he would attain this by putting fear into those he rules. This is not something I agree with, because to be a successful leader, you do not have to have your people afraid of you.
    -Brian C.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:23 PM  

  • I like what Matt Ga. said about his ideal leader. He described this person as a renaissance man, because the qualities of a good leader come in a wide variety. I agree with his position that you should not rule by fear alone, but that having a little bit of fear can be useful. This is a good point because a leader that rules this way would have a good relationship with his people as well as control over them.
    -Brian C.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:28 PM  

  • The characteristics my ideal leader would have are to be honest, well-educated, quick on their feet or ready to do something fast when a problem evolves, trusting, definently not boring I mean I don't want to have a leader that bores me to death and makes me just want to agree with them just so that they'll be quiet, this leader must be fair, and also they must be able to form their own opinions on issues and not be mouth-fed their beliefs by other leaders. My ideal leader also needs to be outgoing and outspoken.
    I don't think my ideal leader could be Machiavellian because a leader needs to relate more with his people rather than making decisions on his own and a leader should be both feared and loved not just feared. -Katie L.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:03 PM  

  • I have to say that I pretty much agree with everyone on the charateristics of an ideal leader, a leader does need to be trustworthy, honest, fair, versatile, forgiving, etc.. But I definitly say I have to agree with Natalia's view on having a Machiavellian leader. They should be loved rather than feared and in order to recieve respect a leader shouldn't make crucial decisions of his own but rather talk to everyone and get their opinions as well. -Katie L.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:10 PM  

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