Niccolo Machiavelli on Human Nature
In the world of politics, according to Machiavelli, the Prince has to deal with the people. He should therefore have a correct understanding of human nature. Machiavelli argues that the laws of politics should emerge from psychology, not from ethics.
In his writings, Machiavelli assumes that human nature is changeless; human nature has remained constant. One can make generalisations about man: they are selfish, ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers; they shun danger but are greedy for profit. All men are bad and they can never be trusted. They show their true selfish character when the occasion arises.
According to Machiavelli, the evil nature of man is rooted in his selfishness which manifests itself primarily in the desire for self-preservation and security.
Once security is achieved, man becomes greedy for power since power gives freedom. Machiavelli argues that even those who do not wish to rule others at least wish to have enough power to prevent themselves from falling too completely under the control of others. According to him, the world is divided into those who dominate and those who strive not to be dominated. Politics thus necessarily involves struggle for power.
Machiavelli argues that man is the slave of his own passions. Individuals are driven by love for power, reputation, and security. It is pointless and unsafe to suppose that they can be ruled by obtaining their rational consent or setting a good moral example. It is by manipulating the passions of others that they can be made to do what one wants them to do.
Machiavelli advises the Prince to rely on the judicious use of force and deceit. Politics is simply about getting and keeping power. What matters in politics is success in getting, keeping, and increasing power.
The foundation of the Prince’s power is force and his willingness to use it ruthlessly. Machiavelli remarks, “It is not essential to be loved, but it is essential to be feared.” If the Prince is forced to injure others, he should make it final and absolute, depriving them of any power to take revenge in future.
Men are possessive by nature. Machiavelli says, “A man would readily forgive the murder of his father but never the seizure of property.” The Prince should not deprive men from their property and touch others’ women.
ASSESSMENT OF MACHIAVELLI’S VIEWS ON HUMAN NATURE
George Sabine calls Machiavelli’s views on human nature as Universal Egoism. The motive of egoism is found both in the masses (the desire for security) and the rulers (the desire for power).
Government is founded upon the weakness and insufficiency of the individual. The individual is unable to protect himself against the aggression of others unless supported by the power of the State.
Further, man is profoundly acquisitive by nature. They always aim for power and possessions which are limited by natural scarcity. Individuals are therefore always in a condition of strife and competition which threatens open anarchy unless restrained by the force of law.
Power of the ruler is built upon the very imminence of anarchy. Security is possible only when government is strong.
A successful ruler must aim at security of life and property of his subjects before everything else, since these are the most universal desires in human nature.
According to Machiavelli, people are generally bad and the human mind tends to glorify the past, decry the present, and hope for a better future. A wise ruler should make policies on this assumption.
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