[Subject/Course]
[Submission Date]
Leadership can be defined as the distinctive style of an individual through which he influences other people so that they can achieve something (a goal, target, aim etc.). Leaders are able to influence others by showing special qualities like morality, values, ethical principles, knowledge, skill and character. In this paper, the views of two great philosophers, Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli, will be discussed regarding the leadership required during war times. Lao-Tzu was a renowned Chinese philosopher whereas Machiavelli was an exceptional Italian writer and statesman. Both these famous personalities have presented great ideas in about running a country and being good leaders. They have both similarities and differences in their ideas.
As far as Lao-Tzu is concerned, he feels that the leader should have a good relationship with his/her people. A leader must be lovable and friendly. On the other hand, Machiavelli believes that people should fear their leader and he should have a fearful personality. According to Machiavelli, “I reply that one should like to be both one and the other, but since it is difficult to join them together, it is much safer to be feared than loved when one of the two must be lacking” (as qtd. in Cahn 32). I do not support this idea because people will not respect or like a leader who is unfriendly and frightful. They do things in fear and lack devotion in their actions.
Lao-Tzu believes in the significance of war. However, he is against the use of arms and weapons until there is a great need. He declares that “weapons are the tools of fear. A decent man will avoid them except in the direst necessity and, if compelled, will use them only with the utmost restraint. Peace is his highest value”. He believes that weapons and wars make people fearful which is not a good thing. He asserts that it is important for a leader to let the war flourish so that people become brave and bold under his leadership. He thinks that it is important to engage in war in order to survive and continue one’s existence. According to him, war is a necessary event as it promotes feelings of alertness, bravery, heroism and courageousness in people.
On the other hand, Machiavelli does not give much importance to the warfare. Although he thinks that a country should always be prepared for the war Machiavelli does not support the idea of war like Lao-Tzu. Machiavelli asserts that war should be the last option for a leader. He believes that it is the first duty of a leader to spread peace. He believes that it is much more important to provide security to the people and the advance the economy of the country. He is against the expenditure on warfare. Instead, he believes in spending money on other things like industries, education, environment etc. He also thinks that when people see their leader promoting warfare and weapons, they also get involved in committing crimes and doing illegal things etc. However, he also believes that “a prince who does not understand the art of war, over and above all the misfortunes already mentioned, cannot be respected by his soldiers, nor can he rely on them” (as qtd. in Machiavelli, Marriott, Fuller & Hobbes 52). In the same manner, he thinks that when leaders 9princes) give more consideration to warfare; they are more likely to lose their power and states. Therefore, he believes that a prince should not only give consideration to weapons but also make time to develop his country in other fields at the same time. He holds the belief that leaders should involve themselves in knowing about the past experiences of other leaders and how they managed to run their countries. He makes it crystal clear that a leader should expand and sustain his industrial resources in such a manner that when the time of war comes, he has all the required things at hand.
As far as my opinion is concerned, I think that today we need more leaders like the ones that Machiavelli has described. This is a contemporary era where every nation is faced with problems of terrorism and extremism. Therefore, the time needs the leaders to be diplomatic in their relationships. It is the sole responsibility of a leader to avoid wars and protect his countrymen at every cost. A leader must make every effort to avoid any conflict with other countries that may lead to warfare in the end. Although I respect Lao-Tzu’s opinions about war and weapons, I believe that Machiavelli has presented a more authentic model of a leader.
Works Cited
Cahn, Steven M.. Classics of modern political theory: Machiavelli to Mill. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print.
Machiavelli, Niccolò, W. K. Marriott, Nelle Fuller, and Thomas Hobbes. The Prince. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 1955. Print.
