Unit 2 Reflection

Governing of society does not come with an instruction manual.  If it did, dispute over how to run its people would not exist.  However, Niccolo Machiavelli comes closer than other philosophers to describe the procedure of controlling society.  While Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau had valid theories, Machiavelli's work, The Prince, includes suggestions most valid to our society.
Machiavelli gave clear instructions to leaders of men, which not only apply to those of his time but also in our society.  One of his suggestions was for a "prince" to say what was needed in order to get support of his people, but to betray his word if necessary.  Our American politicians today are perfect examples of Machiavelli's idea.  Even President Barack Obama has claimed to perform actions which he never pursued further.  Machiavelli also argues that a government cannot be too generous nor stingy, which also proves true in American society.  Taxes placed on citizens are constantly debated to be too high or low.  Without these taxes, however, there would be no way to protect or maintain our country, such as funding the Iraq war and bailing out our economy.  If these taxes were to get too high, American citizens would rebel as they have prior to the American Revolution.  Therefore, the government has to maintain a balance between their being generous with lower taxation or stingy with higher taxes.
Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau had theories which I do not believe hold true in society today.  Hobbes believed in an absolute monarchy government, which does not exist in our country because our democracy has proven more popular than a tyranny.  American citizens have come to treasure rights such as voting for leaders and having checks and balances in the government so that no person or group has too much power.  Locke believed in a very liberal society where there was no aristocracy.  While this seems ideal, it will never be the case in our society as there are different economic classes and jobs.  Rousseau also theorized that all men are equal, which is unrealistic in America.  Without a need to advance in society, our country would not be as progressive as it currently is.
While Rousseau, Hobbs, and Locke all had valid theories about mankind and society, their ideas do not hold true today.  Because Machiavelli's ideas are so prevalent in American government today, his opinion is much more justifiable than the other philosophers.