Bush: Not a Machiavellian Ruler

Machiavelli says that a ruler must not be hated by his people or they will try to overthrow him through conspiracy, or join up with enemies when they come to invade a state. Bush is hated by many of his people. They are tired of being in the war against terrorists and many take sides with foreign leaders around the world. Bush finds himself with fewer and fewer allies the longer he stays in this war...with not even the United Kingdom supporting him anymore with their recent decision to withdraw their troops.

Machiavelli states however that it is better to be feared, than loved. He is not loved, as stated earlier, yet not feared either. The U.S. is a world superpower, and many small countries are afraid that someday they will be invaded by our armed forces, but it takes more than Bush to send those forces into countries, so they do not fear Bush as a leader.

Bush is a hereditary ruler because his father accomplished many things that he has continued with during his terms in office. The war against Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein were all started with George Bush, Sr. and now George W. carries on with the war. Although Machiavelli says that a hereditary ruler is effective because he already has the respect of his people-this does not apply to Bush. He doesn't have the love from his people that his father did and would be more effective if he were a new ruler. At least then he would be able to start with his own platform and not be living under a shadow of someone politically greater than him.

A "pro" to being a hereditary ruler is the respect of people who are used to being ruled-not used to being free. Bush cannot expect this in the U.S. His citizens demand answers for their occupation in Iraq and do not make it easy for him to maintain his "rule." A "con" to being a hereditary ruler is that accomplishments are acquired by good fortune and the ruler rarely has training or experience. This is very true of Bush, as some believe that he has no experience in conducting a war and little training. I mean, if he can't even read a book right side up, and makes up words all the time, how is he going to acquire accomplishments in the Middle East?