Bush's Outlooks On Nuclear Power example essay topic

George Bush and Niccolo Machiavelli are two very influential political figures that share some similar ideals. Machiavelli's work was never intended to be applied to republics, or a democratic government. The advice written in The Prince would have likely been applied in the time of absolute government, when countries were ruled by one leader. It is a work which, as Machiavelli himself says that his philosophy is only applied to principalities, or what we call dictatorships in modern times. Elected from the state of Texas, George Bush is a strictly right-winged conservative.

When he was governor, Bush showed no clemency for the death row inmates which resulted in the highest number of executions. He severely restricted women's rights in Texas by legislating strict guidelines for abortion, making it very difficult for women to exercise their first amendment right. In my opinion, Bush's views greatly reflect the tactics described by Machiavelli in The Prince. President Bush's outlooks on nuclear power, war in Iraq, Social Security, and appointing Federal Judges that share his ethics compares well with Machiavelli's philosophies. The most astounding aspect of The Prince is Machiavelli's view that princes may indeed, be cruel and dishonest if their ultimate aim is for the good of the state. It is not only acceptable but necessary to lie, to use torture, and to walk over other states and cities.

Machiavellianism is defined as "A political doctrine of Machiavelli, which denies the relevance of morality in political affairs and holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing and maintaining political power (Def.) " This implies that in the conquest for power, the ends justify the means. This is the basis of Machiavellianism. The priority for the power holder is to keep the security of the state regardless of the morality of the means. He accepts that these things are in and of themselves morally wrong, but he points out that the consequences of failure, the ruin of states and the destruction of cities, can be far worse.

Machiavelli strongly emphasizes that princes should not hesitate to use immoral methods to achieve power, if power is necessary for security and survival. President Bush proposes to limit the expansion of nuclear power countries". Last Friday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin pooh-poohed the U.S. claim that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, and Moscow agreed to move ahead with delivering the nuclear fuel for Tehran's reactors despite Washington's opposition. And in case you missed the message, Russia has also agreed to supply advanced surface-to-air missiles to Syria, the latest focus of U.S. ire in the Middle East - again in defiance of Washington's stated wishes (Karon)". Presently, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, India, and China have or can develop devastating nuclear bombs. Nuclear bombs can cause unfathomable destruction of land and people.

North Korea and Iran, the two very radical countries appear to be on the verge of making nuclear bombs. Mr. Bush on his recent trip to Europe tried to rally support from major leaders to stop selling nuclear material and secrets to these two states. His opposition of nuclear energy in the hands of dictators is for the common good of America and other countries. It may not be fair or equitable to keep the nuclear energy away from a certain group or state, but the result is focused mainly on the security for the rest of the world. Machiavelli also wrote how to govern dominions that are being occupied by people that live under their own laws and values.

His first edict reflects the Bush Administration's actions and decisions on how to spread democracy in Iraq:" When those states which have been acquired are accustomed to live at liberty under their own laws, there are three ways of holding them. The first is to despoil them; the second is to go and live there in person; the third is to allow them to live under their own laws, taking tribute of them, and creating within the country a government composed of a few who will keep it friendly to you (Mach, 46)". President Bush, without the nod of major countries like Russia, Germany and France, has tried to spread democracy in some ancient states. "President Bush began his diplomatic mission to Europe on Monday with some tough demands for more democracy in Russia, far-reaching reforms in the Middle East, improved behavior by Syria and Iran and increased European assistance for Iraq (Condon)".

The Bush Administration is trying to send signals to radical countries like Syria, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon to have democratic ideals. The war in Iraq is presently being waged on the assumption that we, the Americans, want them to be democratic, whether it is good for their country or not (Ledeen). President Bush has put forward a bold initiative to "save" Social Security. Some experts predict that at the present setting, the social security will run out of funds in another 16 to 20 years (Gordon). Chief financial advisor to Mr. Bush proposes to privatize Social Security.

A portion of the taxes will remain in the private accounts at every tax paying individuals to be invested in the stock market- hoping it will generate more revenue. "Bush has expressed strong support for allowing workers to divert some of their Social Security taxes to accounts that could be invested in stocks and bonds (Weisman)". The investing in stocks will be at the discretion of individuals. Many Economists disagree with this plan while the Congress debates the bill.

Machiavelli's visions revolved around the idea that one must do anything within his command to keep the influence and power that he has achieved. The prince must do everything without question to keep control of his country. I do not need to explain why I say things. - That's the interesting thing about being the President. - Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation (Woodward)".

Machiavelli also believed that without the public, the ruler or leader is worthless and will be overcome. Mr. Bush won a decisive victory over his democratic rival, John Kerry in 2004. Bush feels that he now has a mandate to advance in his strict conservative ideals. This idea also appeals to the conservative media and the conservative constituents.

He has now reintroduced the once defeated very right wing conservative federal judges. With the Republican majority in the Senate, President Bush is confident that his nominees for Federal Judges will be elected. President Bush's power was not achieved through control, but from religious influences (Lampman). Machiavelli sees religion only as a tool for the prince. ' "President Bush has never been shy about injecting his faith into the public arena- his campaign remark that Jesus Christ was his "favorite philosopher", was an early signal (Lampman)".

'Christianity played a heavy factor in his campaign and makes Bush a Machiavellian because he used manipulation of the Christian populous to obtain votes for his presidency or power. For Machiavelli, politics was about one and only one thing: getting and keeping power or authority. Everything else, religion, morality, truth, honor, and integrity, that people associate with politics has nothing to do with this fundamental aspect of politics, unless being moral helps one get and keep power. The only skill that counts in getting and maintaining power is control. A successful politician knows what to do or what to say for every situation, no matter what it takes. It is only about winning and keeping power.

While it's possible to see only the negative uses of power, one can also see the potential for power to promote the common good. Machiavelli would argue that attending to the common good is in a prince's best interests, since it increases the support of the public, something more valuable than any fortification or other face of power.

Bibliography

Condon, George. San Diego Union Tribune. "Bush tries to mend fences, but has tough talk for Syria, Iran". Feb. 21, 2005.
web Machiavellianism- ord Net 1.7. 1 Copyright (c) 2001 by Princeton University.
web Robert. Maine Today. "Force Congress to live like retirees". March 12, 2005.
web Tony. Time Online Edition. "Why Europe ignores Bush". Feb. 22, 2005.
web Jane. Christian Science Monitor. "New scrutiny of role of religion in Bush's Policies". March 17, 2003.
web Michael. National Review Online. "Serious Threat". March 11, 2005.
web Niccolo. The Prince. Chapter 5- "The Way to Govern Cities or Dominions That, Previous to Being Occupied, Lived Under Their Own Laws" Pg. 46 Woodward, Bob. 60 Minutes Interview. CBS News. com. "A Rare Glimpse Inside Bush's Cabinet". Nov. 17, 2002.