Machiavelli, the 1513 author of The Prince, and Thoreau, The 1849 author of Civil Disobedience, share and differ on ideas concerning government and how it should govern people as well as the best form of response. Due to their different time periods the ideas articulated would have huge consequences if read out of context. Machiavelli’s essay was written for the wealthy of society on how to govern a people whilst remaining in power. But he lived in a society where the majority couldn’t read so he was safe from retribution from angry commoners. Thoreau voices the opinion of the majority under such a rule described by Machiavelli. What it all comes down to is how should we let ourselves be governed?
Thoreau believes that the American government is a necessary evil for "the people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have." Yet in his opinion it has been most effective when it was idle. To Thoreau the government doesn’t deserve the credit we give it for it was by the drive and pride of the American people that those achievements were made. Machiavelli talks about how to portray yourself publicly one way and act the exact opposite, “for there’s such a difference between the way we really live and the way we ought to live that the man who neglects the real to study the ideal will learn how to accomplish his ruin not his salvation.” Here Machiavelli sums up his entire piece because a man who completely understands how to navigate the real whilst entertaining his subjects ideal reality he can retain his power.
Machiavelli also explains the difference between being loved or feared by your subjects. To Machiavelli, “to be feared is much safer than to be loved.” He believes this because as humans beings we are ungrateful, “fickle, liars and deceivers, fearful of danger and greedy for gain.” Thoreau supports this claim when he talks about how easily we are pleased for, “He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist.” And still he calls up to stand against this unjust system that keeps us trapped in cages of fear and reverie. We are “happy robots” not thinking, living, or questioning, but simply existing. We should not and will not stand for this tyranny that the Machiavellian political system has made.
It all depends on where you sit on the social ladder. If you are on the lower half Thoreau is your champion of equality and fairness. But if you’re on the upper half Machiavelli is your guidebook to success but you must always be aware when the vultures are circling for when you fall they will feed.
