In Defense of Niecollo Machiavelli No cruel, hard, mentally disciplined man. . . by Darrell S. Willey His eyes were poor; he was able to read in the strongest daylight only. He often wore the same clothes weeks on end. This was Niccolo Machiavelli, thinker, early political scientist, and a target for all who preferred not to understand him. The little man was wiry, thin, and highly energetic. Italy was split into several small baronies; the war and strife were constant. Thus Florence, a small city state, was caught in the central muck of this strife. Machiavelli held a job as public secretary. This job amounted to no more than supervising public records. His supply of patience was never-ending, for his additional task of keeping political party members in line was a hard one indeed. His job was one of political patronage not unlike that of an award job when a political party takes over. Political jobs are often short-lived, but Machiavelli's lasted fourteen years. This ability to weather such a span of time points to his great skill as a politician. Florence was often the scene of shakeups in office. But during these periods Machiavelli was gaining the years of experience that later would enable him to put his work into writing. Family life of Machiavelli was a happy, normal one, as substantiated by letters exchanged between his wife and self. Family size is not known; merely that his first child was a boy. Any events that may have happened in his lifetime were closely correlated by those in the life of any other Florentine. The plague struck his family as it did most others in Southern Europe. His letters reveal concern on every hand. Those exchanged with his wife, friends, and others point to no cruel, hard, mentally disciplined man such as he is so often accused of being. His office supplied knowledge in handling people and family; he learned to handle them with firmness and gentleness not unlike that of a shepherd. Charges pressed against Machiavelli were sent from every quarter. Influential men, paptists, reformers, were after him for want of something to blame. If the man could have been removed the party would have capitulated. But he stayed on until the party in power was replaced by a prince. Michia-velli was forced to disappear from the political scene for some time. During his stay away from politics many of his writings were completed. Commentaries on The Ten Books of Titus Tivius, an early history of Rome, gained little acceptance at this time; he alone remained convinced his works would far outlive him and his government. His greatest work, The Prince, caused and still causes much comment and resentment against the man. The thesis amounts to much more than the theory, "Might Is Right." At no time does he place the prince above the welfare of his subjects. The book tells of Alexander the Great talking to his architect, Dinocrates, of building a great city in memorial to the soldier. The selected site was atop a great hill. The ruler merely asked where they might farm; Dinocrates had to admit he overlooked that aspect. The city as eventually built was Alexandria, Egypt. Wheat far outweighs the chaff in Machiavelli's works. Advice is advanced on how to choose administrative staffs; the men picked should be loyal and well trusted. The men that would handle funds should be of the highest and that character should be well known so the public faith might be kept steady. Diplomats are the men that must be selected with the greatest prudence, for their ability is often the final determinant in peace and war. A good government lies in the hands of the few administering affairs of statecraft. War was regarded as a last resort by the thinker, a measure to be used after all others had failed in turn. Machiavelli was well aware that war tears up lands, breaks up homes and nations at random. The reasons for going to war are few and vital: (1) Defense of homeland. (2) Enforcement of vital verdicts of legislative bodies. (3) Saving of a kingdom through necessary invasions. Human life was not regarded then as now, but the welfare of the group was held high in the minds of men. He offers advice on setting up an occupational army or government in conquered lands. Food supplies are to be considered for the defeated as well as for the victorious. The victor is further advised not to disturb the daily lives of the beaten but to return them to a routine way of life as fast as possible. He also makes wishes known on the fact that religion should not be changed in a conquered land. Sagacity is revealed at every turn. Machiavelli stood for expediency in all matters of government, the fastest method was usually the best method. He wished that only competent men would be placed in spots of high responsibility in statecraft. War was regarded as a last resort in settling disputes. But if war is necessary all available force must be sent against it to end the matter fast as possible. As a writer he has been misquoted, misread, and purposely misunderstood for the sake of strengthening personal arguments. The man, authentic in so many judgments, is entitled to a complete and a fair understanding, and fair quotation of his written work. Page Sixteen Stephens Elma Lou Page Seventeen