Thomas More’s “Utopia” and Machiavelli’s “The Prince” ideas differ on various subjects. They suggest different kinds of societies that would be ideal for people. While The Prince emphasizes power, its acquisition and maintenance, Utopia leans more on a communal society where no one owns anything. A question that one can ask himself is one that considers the effects of the two different philosophies recommended considering the political, economic and social wellbeing of society.
The Prince has suggested several guidelines for modern states. The main thesis in this book is that the end justifies the means. In this regard, power is the center point of any leadership. The use of force to perpetuate power is more important than the rule of law. A strong defense and military system is therefore recommended. This is a good idea considering some factors. First, Citizens of any country need to take pride in their country and believe that their country has the capacity to defend itself and enhance its interests. Secondly, military strength and aggression would protect and increase a country’s resources in conquered lands. This will reduce the tax burden on citizens besides providing resources for the government to provide essential services and improve the quality of life of its citizens. History has shown that not a single kingdom has been able to stand without a strong military. Even in the modern world, countries are strengthening their military capacity on a daily basis. (Machiavelli, 1515, p.110)
When it comes to ethics, he suggests that the prince should only be concerned with actions that are beneficial to a leader and ones that promote the well-being of his state. Every country has people of diverse backgrounds and opinions. These are people who may not even have all information on some issues. At the end of the day, however, a leader needs to make decisions that may contradict some good virtues. He does not need to be virtuous but may need to appear so. Citizens of any state judge their leaders on perceptions rather than on reality. It is only a leader who does not strive to please everyone and makes difficult but informed choices that will automatically contradict some values he holds who can provide effective leadership and command trust from citizens. (Machiavelli, 1515, p.110)
Machiavelli emphasizes the importance of a leader to guard about being over-generous to his citizens. Being over-generous to citizens has some obvious drawbacks. Such kind of a leader is likely to feed on people’s praise of him which is a foolish kind of leadership. Resources will also be strained raising taxes in the process thus overburdening citizens. As may arise in many cases, this kind of generosity may reduce attracting resentment from citizens. (Machiavelli, 1515, p.112)
A leader who is feared more than loved is likely to be more efficient in running a state. This is especially important in the military ranks. Military persons who do not fear their leader are likely to revolt against him with a possibility of overthrowing their leader as it has happened in several countries around the world. Military traditions in many countries that allow things like a parade inspection are among the methods employed to promote a leader’s command over military forces. Likewise, important government officials need to fear their leaders; this will ensure that they carry out government decisions dedicatedly. This could be the only way to ensure that government policy is implemented at all ranks and levels. What’s more? A government that fears its leader is a government that is unified on all issues. However, leaders need to take care so that this fear they command is not transformed to hate. They should also not interfere in people’s property or affairs without cause. (Machiavelli, 1515, p.120)
Among qualities suggested by people around the world for their leaders is that their leader should be someone who keeps his/her word. This quality is recommended in the Prince. Since people will judge their leader by what they perceive of him/her, it is important for a leader to create an illusion of keeping his word. This should apply unless it is very necessary for a leader to do otherwise. Keeping your word as a leader will attract trust from citizens. Moreover, this virtue is likely to extend to other government officials and citizens. (Machiavelli, 1515, p.121)
More’s book suggests an ideal society where every person works hard. Labour is a way of promoting national cohesion and no one has any excuse for being idle. Such a society is likely to be very productive boosting a state’s economy. Social ills like theft are also eliminated in such an arrangement. Allowing people to own private property promotes hard work, provides employment and encourages creativity. (More, 1852, p. 126)
Utopia on the other hand is based on principles aimed at eliminating poverty in an ideal society. The primary principle is that no one owns anything and therefore no one lacks anything. All resources and wealth are nationally owned. Shortages are thus eliminated since almost anything does not have value. (More, 1852, p. 126)
“In other ‘republics’ practically everyone knows that, if he doesn’t look out for himself, he’ll starve to death, however prosperous his country may be. He’s therefore compelled to give his own interests priority over those of the public; that is, of other people. But in Utopia, where everything’s under public ownership, no one has any fear of going short, as long as the public storehouses are full. Everyone gets a fair share, so there are never any poor men or beggars. Nobody owns anything, but everyone is rich – for what greater wealth can there be than cheerfulness, peace of mind, and freedom from anxiety? What greater wealth can there be than cheerfulness, peace of mind, and freedom from anxiety?” (More, 1852, p. 128)
Evils witnessed in the capitalist world like greed are thus eliminated. Everyone has a responsibility for every other person. Misery and suffering of citizens under the burden of a few individuals who control most of the national resources are also eliminated. This can be a happy and caring society that takes care of everyone.
One of the key principles of utopia is the principle of universal labor. “Under this arrangement, all people with exceptions of a few like scholars must work and enjoy goods produced from communal labor”. (More, 1852, p. 130) However, Utopian religion and ethics encourage a good life free from labor and spent on entertainment. This can check against greed and promote the general health and the wellbeing of citizens. Instances, where people break their backs at the expense of more pressing issues like family, is therefore greatly minimized.
One is encouraged to be moderate while seeking social pleasures. These pleasures should not interfere with the pleasures of other people. No one is forced to follow a certain religion or impose his beliefs on others. This ensures that people enjoy their freedoms without interfering with the freedoms of others hence promoting people’s rights. Evils witnessed where millions of people have been killed or discriminated against because of their faiths are thus eliminated. Among principles suggested is that the highest form of pleasure is achieved when one sacrifices his pleasures for the sake of others’ happiness would promote selflessness. This should be displayed at the government level where leadership is entirely based on serving the needs of the society to society members who care for each other. (More, 1852, p. 140)
In Utopia, the family is viewed very differently from how we know it to be. It is organized to meet the needs of the state. “For example, a child who prefers to be a woodworker would be moved to a woodworker family”. (More, 1852, p.154) While a wife joins her husband’s household, males remain in their family under the guard of their oldest male relative. One advantage of this arrangement is that it would promote unity in society since relations are not entirely based on blood. Emphasis on a family creates a good grassroots structure for implementing government policy. Order, discipline and promotion of talent are also enhanced considering the existing hierarchy of command and specialization of labor under specific families.
Conclusion
Looking at our current world one is likely to note an intermingling of both Utopian and The Prince ideas. I am even perplexed at how two different ideologies that appear too divergent on specific issues have intermingled. Looking at American society, for example, it is a society that encourages democracy and human rights based on capitalism. It is also a tolerant society that silently encourages pleasure and entertainment as long as these pleasures do not interfere with other people’s pleasures. These are both Utopian and Machiavelli’s ideas. While our society is capitalist, we are now recommending and implementing programs that are more communal. This includes suggested health programs by the government that would provide health services for Every American. We may merge more of these two ideas including others as we head towards globalization and as we face new challenges.
References List
Machiavelli, N. (1515). The Prince, pp.01-194.
More, T. (1852).Utopia, Planet PDF, pp.01-183.