REYES, FLEURDELIS B.

University of the Philippines Open Univeristy

SLE (Machiavellianism)

Like Machiavelli, I believe that the standard of the church is different from the standard of the
state. In politics, you need to have an iron fist and use it when necessary to protect the state from
external or internal threats. In Religion, you need to be forgiving and loving because that is the
whole essence of the gospel.
Assignment 1 – Part 2:. Machiavelli’s Concept of “Political Ethics”: My Personal Position

Politics and Religion co-exist whether we accept it or not. In religion, the foundation is the word
of God - the Bible, where many of life’s standards have rooted. However in politics, Machiavelli
raised his concern about what determines the standard of the system.

He responded to this question by pointing to the end of the state, which is the acquisition,
retention and expansion of political power. (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 200:285) For Machiavelli,
political power is not just a means to an end but an end in itself. This is as simply saying that
politics is independent, it can set its own rules, implement them and stand on its own.

Let us relate my position with the Philippines setting.

The 1986 People Power revolution that led to the ouster of Marcos dictatorship was obviously
the period of democratic high in the Philippines. This inspired many Filipinos to exercise the
freedom of expression. However, the people became too vocal and pushy to the extent that the
freedom was abused. The elite became more powerful and corruption in the government
flourished. Unscrupulous government officials conspired with the syndicates that the
proliferation of drugs in the National Penitentiary under the watch of a high ranking official in
the Department of Justice thrived. Respect for authorities recede that anyone can attack a
person’s character using any platforms available today like Social Media. Even mainstream
media are biased in their reporting.

If I were to be the next President of the country, I will use Machiavelli’s guiding principles and
integrate the Bible as my presumptions for moral and religious propositions. With the present
situation, it is high time for the Philippines to have a leader that resembles Machiavelli’s Prince;
a leader of virtue, one who will protect the interest of the people rather than own interest; a
leader who is willing to defend the country from traitors and will use force in order to maintain
peace and order.

It is interesting to note that Machiavelli’s political experiences led him to conclude that:

1. To kill an enemy to protect the state and not for self gratification is justifiable.
2. It is not important what others would think of a leader because it will change in the end
especially if the people will see the accomplishment of the leader.
3. It is better to be feared than loved. Practically speaking, people by nature will obey out of fear
rather than love. Sometimes love makes a person weak in making hard decisions.

Indeed, Machiavelli’s political morality is exceptional. It could be possible that even our current
President Rodrigo Duterte observes Machiavelli’s political model given the semblance in style of
governance.
http://www.dw.com/en/philippine-senator-leila-de-lima-arrested-on-illegal-drug-charges/a-37696588
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/03/18/1682253/cayetano-slams-report-questioning-his-cit