27 Feb , 2015
Great individuals associated with the Renaissance such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Aligheri and Galileo were Florentine citizens. The forces of debate, democracy, organised guilds, public interest feelings and the works of geniuses in the arts and culture which were unleashed, spread to all parts of Europe sowing the seeds of modern civilisation. One such personality of that time was Niccolo Machiavelli, considered as the father of modern political thought. Often misunderstood by people as they have only heard of Machiavelli’s selective quotes, his name has come to be an adjective in many languages associated with deceit, practical considerations, rejection of false moralism in political and diplomatic conduct, and for being cunning, unprincipled or ruthless if the permanent interests of the State and its rulers are met.
Niccolo had the moral courage to call a spade a spade, and he merely forewarned men in authority…
The great Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence in 1469 AD. Florence was then an independent Italian republic which had overthrown the dictatorial rule of the Duke of Medici who had monarchical trappings. There was a great flowering of talent in this rich republic, caused by the involvement of its people in governance and the resultant competitive forces which were unleashed based on dissent, respect for merit, culture, arts and achievements and the zeal for public good. The birth of the Renaissance which removed the cloak of ignorance, wanton cruelty, superstitions and poverty so prevalent in the Dark Ages took place here.
Great individuals associated with the Renaissance such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Aligheri and Galileo were Florentine citizens. The forces of debate, democracy, organised guilds, public interest feelings and the works of geniuses in the arts and culture which were unleashed, spread to all parts of Europe sowing the seeds of modern civilisation. One such personality of that time was Niccolo Machiavelli, considered as the father of modern political thought. Often misunderstood by people as they have only heard of Machiavelli’s selective quotes, his name has come to be an adjective in many languages associated with deceit, practical considerations, rejection of false moralism in political and diplomatic conduct, and for being cunning, unprincipled or ruthless if the permanent interests of the state and its rulers are met.
Though he is well known as the author of the book ‘The Prince’, his even greater works include ‘Discourses’ and ‘The Art of War’. Like Karl von Clausewitz later in the 19th century, Niccolo Machiavelli also died a little known person in his native Florence, till his seminal works got published several years later and his name gained celebrity status and immortality. His works got promptly proscribed by the Catholic Church but the translated versions gained immense popularity in other countries like Protestant England, where its rulers followed these maxims unhesitatingly on the way to become a world power.
Niccolo’s advice clearly contradicted the then-existing Christian philosophy and doctrine…
Such was the effect of his distilled study of history, and of his own experiences gained in diplomacy, politics, war strategy, economics, foreign trade, public governance, and deep observations on leadership that he put into his non-fiction works with the dispassionate mind of a true analyst and keen student of statecraft. What a generous entendre for a mere political philosopher who had taken to writing during his forced retirement period! This was because Niccolo had the moral courage to call a spade a spade, and he merely forewarned men in authority about the dangers associated when they attach ‘emotional’ or ‘lofty’ considerations to the survival requirements and prosperity needs of states.
Vignettes of Machiavelli’s Experiences which gave him Novel Insight
In 1500 AD, Niccolo Machiavelli was sent as a plenipotentiary of Florence to the court of King Louis XII of France to negotiate a military alliance. To the French, Florence’s governmental machinery appeared to be absurdly vacillating and weak, for it to deserve being counted as a military ally. Yet his native republic’s sense of its own importance seemed to be ludicrously out of line with the realities of its military position and wealth! The French were willing to humour only those who were well armed or were willing to pay or were ready to make political compromises. The French senior Minister Florimond Robertet made the contemptuous remark to Niccolo, “You are a Mr Nothing.” This remark rang through his ears for the rest of his lifetime. His writings were full of warnings to policymakers about the folly of procrastinating taking hard decisions, the dangers of appearing irresolute, and the need for rapid actions both in War and Peace alike. A modern parallel to this experience is India’s foolish courting of China during the 1950s.
In October 1503 AD, Niccolo was sent as a special emissary to Pope Julius II in Rome. The aspirant to the post of Captain General of the Papal Armies was none other than the ambitious Duke Cesare Borgia, whom he studied closely and made him the model for his future book “The Prince”. Pope Julius II undertook a successful campaign to rid Italy of foreign domination. After the job was done, he had Cesare Borgia imprisoned, instead of keeping his solemn promises. This made Niccolo observe that even written promises in statecraft are mere traps to buy time, and one should during diplomatic negotiations be on double guard to understand the deeper purposes of the other party, so as to not land up in grave jeopardy later.
The main foundations for a great state, according to him, were “Good Laws and Good Armies”.
Pope Julius II also showed his political acumen by tackling the might of France in 1511 AD
by roping in King Ferdinand of Spain into his Holy League thereby succeeding in expelling all French influence from Italy. Florence which had acted as an ally of France had to capitulate and Niccolo also lost his job. The Medici family regained their Dukedom in Florence with papal support. In the Indian context, the role of Duke Giuliano Medici can be compared with that of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Against all odds and with the strategic covert support of the British, he was able to sway Muslim public opinion for a separate Dukedom of his fashion, even at the cost of dividing the powerful Muslim entity of the subcontinent into three non-potent groupings in the long run.
Analysis of Niccolo Machiavelli’s Writings
Written in 1513 AD, Niccolo clearly lays down in his book ‘The Prince’ that the state should constantly strive to attain “glory”, so that its citizens become motivated and are imbued with patriotism. This requires good and simple laws to stimulate economic activities, have uncompromising reliance on strong arms, constantly endeavour to ‘create’ reliable neighbouring states by diplomacy, engagements or otherwise; and most importantly – demand exemplary conduct by the ruling class always.
The main foundations for a great state, according to him, were “Good Laws and Good Armies”. Good armies are even more important than good laws because it is impossible to sustain a state having good laws if good armies are lacking, whereas in contrast if there are good armies, then good laws must also exist to ensure their perpetuity.
Niccolo lamented that since the prosperous Italian city states had not given due emphasis on having good armies, the entire peninsula had become a playground to be overrun by many Charles (Germans), plundered by Louis (French), ravaged by Ferdinands (Spanish) and treated with contempt by the Swiss. Niccolo insisted that the armies of the state should always be maintained in the highest degree of equipping and training, though their mass may vary according to the level of anticipated threats. Military leaders have to be groomed and steeped in ‘Virtue’ – meaning ingrained in Courage, Wisdom, Learning, Honesty, Temperance, Magnanimity and being expedient without becoming immoral.
Where Niccolo gained immortal notoriety was in his open advice to rulers to live up to their responsibilities to the State…
But where Niccolo gained immortal notoriety was in his open advice to rulers to live up to their responsibilities to the State by ignoring ‘humanistic’ and ‘moral’ practices, if these could gullibly lead to obvious and disastrous mistakes, which posterity will have to shoulder. This advice clearly contradicted the then-existing Christian philosophy and doctrine, even though in practice these were more observed in the breach. The Church’s strident propaganda machinery quickly over-reacted to his writings and termed these as the ‘Devil’s Gospel’. Niccolo, therefore, contributed immensely to making government policy in European states to be dictated by only practical and secular considerations.
He was emphatic that if a ruling leadership wished to reach its higher goals, it need not always be rational to be moral. On the other hand, impractical adherence to high principles in political and diplomatic matters will prove to be disastrous, and work to the advantage of the state’s unscrupulous opponents. In short, the state’s survival and prosperity considerations should not be burdened with moral ballast when faced with issues deemed important. A wise political leadership has to be guided by the dictates of ‘necessity’ alone on important matters in order to maintain a favourable situation. Such a political leadership should be guided by ‘good’ considerations in its dealings with other states under normal conditions, but if it becomes necessary, it must be prepared to act in the opposite way – be it in a treacherous or ruthless or inconsiderate fashion.
This was how Jinnah conducted the affairs of Pakistan after independence, thus winning for it a permanent say in the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir, and having the flexibility to carry out armed violations and transgressions there, whenever it wanted without being taken to task. It is wisely said that while winning, one should always continue to advance though keeping the pretence of negotiating, till the final objectives have been attained.
In statecraft, fortune favours the brave and cunning who take the initiative unless the opponent is also equally cunning and ruthless (like the Soviet Union under Stalin). The ruler has to imitate the fox as well as the lion, and keep his opponents perplexed and his countrymen amazed. While it is generally agreed that of all the gifts of fortune, the greatest are honour and glory, the aim to achieve long lasting peace should not be lost sight of in its pursuit.
In statecraft, fortune favours the brave and cunning who take the initiative unless the opponent is also equally cunning and ruthless…
Machiavelli’s Prescriptions for an Ideal State
In his lengthy book ‘Discourses’, Niccolo had made his most original contribution to the theory of government. Niccolo pondered over the reasons as to what made possible the dominant position of certain states over long stretches of time and what factors contributed to their unparalled greatness and power. According to Niccolo, experience and close study revealed that no state has ever increased in dominions and riches and held onto these except while its people have been at considerable degree of liberty.
According to him, the achievement of greatness by a state is never merely the outcome of merely good fortune; it is always the product of opportunity combined with the quality of conditioning of its people to endure misfortunes with equanimity – while at the same time building up strengths and overcoming weaknesses with a steely sense of purpose and deliberate efforts. Such a national character must be constantly strengthened without any lapses being tolerated, so that this builds up into a motivating force in times of crisis. Such collective ‘will’ leads to the attainment of civic glory and national greatness. Even if evil deeds get done which result in a constructive outcome, without compromising either destruction of ideals or communal harmony, the population will still readily accept and forgive.
Niccolo was firm in his opinion that whenever the question arises about the absolute safety of one’s country, it becomes the duty of every citizen to recognise that there must be no considerations of ‘just ’or ‘unjust’, of merciful or cruel, of praiseworthy or disgraceful; instead setting aside every scruple, one must follow to the utmost any plan that would defend her territory, the liberty of her people and other major interests. This is exactly the policy the state of Israel has been following to the letter. He states that once a state’s spirit and public virtue has declined due to corruption, slackness and permissiveness; only an exceptional messiah-like ruler can restore these values again, and re-establish the greatness of such a state.
The achievement of greatness by a state is never merely the outcome of merely good fortune…
As most men and women are more prone to evil than to good in their innate self, political power has to be shared amongst a legitimately elected and selected few, than be concentrated in the hands of a single person. There should be ‘checks and balances’ in the political system to ensure this effect. Niccolo was emphatic in his observation that the preservation of liberty is a necessary condition for a state’s greatness, but the growth of corruption in government and public domain is invariably fatal to liberty. All the finest examples of civic virtue are said to have their origin in ‘Good Education’, which in turn has its origin in Good Laws. In his view, dissenting voices and factions must not get stifled, for they aid to foresee mistakes.
Niccolo set the following cardinal rules for enlightened political discourse:
Since men are never content to live off on their own resources, they are always inclined to subjugate and govern others. Therefore, the pursuit of dominions adjacent to a state which can be easily absorbed and assimilated is a precondition for liberty at home.
A successful state needs to surround itself with reliable allies.
If war is imposed on a state, the efforts of its rulers should be to make it ‘Short and Big’. War is a great opportunity to achieve long term goals of the state. Niccolo vehemently opposed the concept of ‘Limited War’ as this does not create lasting peace.
The best way to counter China’s deliberate policy of creating irritants along the border is to maintain maximum restraint…
It is useless in times of war to rely permanently on ‘fortresses’ as the principal system of defence. The aim should be to create terror in the minds of one’s opponent by relentless offensive actions aimed to unbalance him, and complicate his offensive plans.
It is the worst mistake of all to refuse to come to an agreement while dealing with a superior military opponent. At worst, this will help one to buy more time for bettering one’s preparations. Lack of an agreement will enable the superior attacker to seize whatever he wants and do further exploitation, if there is a meltdown of the opposition.
War is waged with ‘steel’ and not with ‘gold’. Therefore, the economic prosperity of a state is no guarantee for its greatness or security. Its Armies have to be always kept in premium condition and the morale of its fighting personnel has to be maintained at a high.
It is only by keeping alive the memory of great deeds that we can kindle in the hearts of the populace the kind of collective ambition to excel and match the standards attained by other nations. Where skills are lacking, immigration must be encouraged.
Machiavelli’s Thoughts in Dealings with China
China is a neighbouring power which should be taken very seriously. It is following a single-minded policy of growth and technological development, so that it becomes a superpower on par with the USA by 2030. China’s great strengths are political unity, exceptional diplomatic skills, ability to implement planned growth surpassing targets, ability to control population growth, higher education, research excellence and hunger for economic prosperity of its people.
China is a neighbouring power which should be taken very seriously…
At the same time, China also has inherent serious weaknesses which are external hydrocarbon sources dependency, entrenched corruption at all levels, disinclination for original thinking, over confidence, lack of capacity to adjust with powerful neighbours due to hegemonistic mindset of its leadership and the fundamental flaw that its economy is exports dependent and not internal consumption driven. Its GDP growth is powered by borrowed capital and foreign investments in the manufacturing sector. But the prevalent conditions of stability will easily last till 2020. During this period, China will deepen its hold on Tibet by enhancing road and rail connectivity with Sichuan province and provide more economic incentives for Hans to settle in Tibet’s urban areas. The fundamental drivers of India’s China policy should, therefore, be:
India cannot aggressively tackle China unless the ‘Pakistan’ problem is first solved. We should have a secure flank. Therefore, we must continue to buy time by extending negotiations while simultaneously improving our high altitude and mountain warfare capabilities. A border agreement should not be our prime concern; maintaining peace on the Line of Actual Control should. An unsettled border will be against China’s interests in the long run and give us more options.
India must not give any false promises to the Tibetans which it cannot realistically fulfil. Religious affinity, sympathy and humanistic ideals are one thing but peace and a working arrangement of trade and economic co-operation with China is more important. Presently, Tibet and Xinjiang are economic burdens on China and India should let the status quo be.
India does not have any permanent anti-China interests. Therefore, trade with China must be boosted and business investments stepped up there. India has to learn to cultivate Chinese public opinion favourably and imbibe their best practices.
India must create conditions whereby Pakistan is forced to incur an unaffordable defence budget…
The best way to counter China’s deliberate policy of creating irritants along the border is to maintain maximum restraint and reciprocate using propaganda tools such as issuing ‘on the spot’ tourist visas, and offering ‘conducted tour’ to the nearest Indian city for ‘guests’ who arrive without notice. Provocative actions by China are meant to satisfy the conservatives in its Politburo and Central Military Commission.
China’s policy of issuing ‘stapled visas’ to people of Arunachal Pradesh can be countered by extending the facilities offered to ‘People of Indian Origin’ to Tibetans also. Some amount of ‘crossover’ support always exists to people living in frontier areas.
Improve close military ties with the nations that can stand up to China. This includes Russia, Japan, USA, Vietnam and Australia. At the same time, talk of ‘alliance’ may be avoided and such relations should preferably be on bilateral basis.
Drastically improve India’s capability in communications and satellite-based intelligence and information gathering of the Tibetan and adjacent Chinese regions almost on par with the NSA of the USA.
Fight Chinese influence in Pakistan, Nepal, and Burma frontally. These are traditional domains where India’s friendly influence has to be permanent and paramount. India must follow an active policy to sow dissent amongst those who court China in these countries, as well as step up her positive levers of influence and friendship.
Encourage Chinese tourists, youth, and academicians to visit and stay in India. Follow an open door and facilitating policy through the length and breadth of the country for Chinese investors. This investment in human capital will work in India’s favour.
The battle for winning the minds of the Pakistanis has to be won by a well-directed and subtle Indian propaganda offensive…
Confucius had said that, “One needs to review the Past before one decides to take on the Future.” China is going through a period of ‘strategic opportunity’. It therefore follows a deliberate policy of intimidation of its less powerful neighbours, by showing belligerence in South China Sea and in Ladakh. China respects strength; therefore, for fear of Russia, it dares not to ‘eye’ Mongolia like it did ‘Tibet’ and ‘East Turkistan’.
Dealing with Pakistan to Achieve Strategic India 2020
Due to a common history and shared bloody struggle, emotions are involved and so, Pakistan is a very complex problem. It is difficult to differentiate between the Muslims of India and the Muslims of Pakistan. The fate of Pakistani Muslims is similar to that of the Kurds, who are divided between Turkey, Iraq and Iran with little chance of unification. India’s successful domestic and external policies have made it the most ‘Muslims friendly’ nation on earth, save for the aberration of our relations with Pakistan. Pakistan’s foreign policy and relations with India are dictated by its military, which sees no gain in its self interest and the raison d’etre if problems between the two countries get solved by political dialogue. Therefore, under the existing conditions, even while feigning that it is keen on negotiations India must concede nothing, as each advantage gained will be subsequently exploited by the military in Pakistan.
India must create conditions whereby Pakistan is forced to incur an unaffordable defence budget which will cement the foundation for social chaos and economic difficulties there. The Pakistan military establishment may then become the object of resentment of the people there. India must, therefore, resist all temptation to overreact to the provocations of the Pakistani Army, which can be expected on a continuous basis as every military chief there wants to prove that he is a greater ‘India hater’ than all his predecessors.
India cannot aggressively tackle China unless the ‘Pakistan’ problem is first solved…
By deliberately under-reacting, the Pakistani Army does not become the rallying point of the people there, and it will steadily get undermined in due course. India must be aware of the game the military there is playing in Jammu and Kashmir and address its vulnerabilities. In the long run, Pakistan cannot be dealt with effectively only by military confrontation. Its people need to be awakened from the slumber of being swayed by a false ideology and slipping into the status of a ‘Failed State’ where anarchy prevails and medieval age minded fanatics take away the liberties of the people.
The battle for winning the minds of the Pakistanis has to be won by a well-directed and subtle Indian propaganda offensive. Pakistan is to India what the self-centred ‘Habsburg’ rulers of Austria were to Germany in the 19th century – always obstructing its efforts by forging hostile alliances, even though the people of both States had so much in common. Pakistan’s policy makers are in a state of blissful ignorance not realising that their actual long term threat will emerge from their Western borders sooner than later. India should also exploit its ‘soft power’ while dealing with Pakistan in the following manner, reminiscent of German Chancellor Willy Brandt’s Ostpolitik which ultimately led to the breaking down of the Berlin Wall; in order to bring about the desired changes:
Unilaterally grant ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status to Pakistan in trade. How does it matter if we can get better materials and products from an ‘enemy State’, if it is at a competitive international price? The benefits to the economy of Pakistan will be offset by building up a pro-India business lobby in Pakistan to counter the ‘India Bashers’.
Pakistan’s policy makers are in a state of blissful ignorance not realising that their actual long term threat will emerge from their Western borders…
Grant Tourist Visas on arrival to Pakistanis unilaterally. Better people to people contacts will work in India’s favour. But, in the event of a serious LC violation, a temporary ban should be placed on all teams for sports and entertainment from Pakistan .
Improve road and rail connectivity with Pakistan through all the border states and in Jammu, Kashmir and Kargil. Goods should keep crossing the border even if people do not. Trade should grow by at least 20 per cent annually.
Grant 100,000 scholarships to Pakistani students and academics to study or carry out research in India. Grant work permits to Pakistani professionals and University teachers to work in India.
Treat prominent Pak clerics, journalists, jurists, and retired military opinion makers as ‘State Guests’ and periodically invite them to India.
Allow Pakistani civil airlines to fly to any place in India and back without reciprocity. This will remove the obstacles which hinder people to people contact.
Allow Pakistani tourists to bring their private vehicles to India without any reciprocity.
Permit Pakistani ships to carry out trade from Indian ports without imposing any restrictions or additional levies. This will make their trade focus India-centric.
Exercising the Hard Option against Pakistan
The ‘Hard Option’ against Pakistan should be exercised only in very exceptional circumstances and when there is full support of public opinion in India. Such Hard Option should be exercised against Pakistan’s ‘Centre of Gravity’ (COG) which may be defined as the support on which Pakistan’s power rests. This should be its critical vulnerability which if downgraded will cause the melting of resistance, will and strength. The most obvious COG factor in Pakistan is the Army. Military power is located NOT in the Army itself but in its Foundations i.e. the things that support it and make it possible to be a strong functional entity such as finances, logistics, public support and political allies. It is axiomatic that what holds up one’s enemy can also make it fall, if the supporting foundation is steadily weakened. We must therefore re-examine:
The ‘Hard Option’ against Pakistan should be exercised only in very exceptional circumstances…
What makes the Pakistan Army move? Its Command and Control set up are its nerves. This must be immobilised and targeted at the onset.
What gives the Pakistan Army its impetus and endurance? This is mainly its Artillery Arm. Therefore, we must attain the resources to silence the Pakistani Artillery within 72 hours.
Who guides the Pakistan Army’s Actions? This is its Strategic Plans Division (SPD). We must ensure that every Action initiated by the SPD ends up as a misadventure and causes loss of promotion and career advancement to the Generals manning this Branch.
Fathoming the Pakistani Army’s psychology and unchanging priorities. These have to be subverted and made to feel worthless, so that they do not tick.
Figuring out how to undermine the Pakistani Army’s strength without having to hit it head on. This could be accomplished using material, physical and psychological means.
Indian policymakers need to seriously examine and find solutions to put an end to the Cross Border Firing Incidents initiated by the Pakistani Army…
The other important COGs of lesser importance which also need to be degraded are:
Pakistan’s anti Hind Ideology. This can be brought to ridicule if the economic prosperity of Indian Muslims can be improved to levels better than that of those in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s False Sense of Superiority Complex.This can be allowed to trigger lack of self-confidence, if India’s GDP growth surges ahead of Pakistan. Also by improving our relations and co-operation with Afghanistan and Iran to a very high degree.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal. This can be made to feel like a liability by spreading disinformation about clandestine transfers to dangerous third parties, and by constantly creating fear psychosis in the higher Pakistani military leadership about Israeli-Indian-US collusion to pre-emptively degrade it and plant reports about dry runs being carried out.
Sino-Pak relations. Spread the canard in the Islamic World about Pakistan’s active support to China to silence the acts of revolt by the Islamic Uighurs vs the ‘Pig eaters’.
Violations on Jammu and Kashmir Border
Indian policymakers need to seriously examine and find solutions to put an end to the Cross Border Firing Incidents initiated by the Pakistani Army whenever it wants to embarrass its political leadership and hinder Indo-Pak relations from improving. There is a strategy required to be put in place to rein in the Pakistani Army. We must therefore examine:
A state’s survival and prosperity considerations should not be burdened with moral ballast…
Addressing Pakistan’s Vulnerabilities
These options are mainly:
Accelerate breakdown of Shimla Agreement restraints. Without declaring unilateral cancellation of the LC, opportunistically push across selectively wherever violations occur. Can India dare to play this ‘Pak’ type game with China for example, and hope to get away?
‘Israeli’ type response to Pakistani violations. Escalation measures to include massive and quick Artillery and Air neutralisation of Pakistani posts, administrative bases and HQs.
Deliberately violate ‘Indus Waters Treaty’ stipulations in retaliation to LC violations.
Actively encourage and equip anti-Pakistani Army elements operating within Pakistan.
India should retaliate with similar gross violations across the IB in adjacent areas of Punjab in Pakistan. Make the costs and repercussions of any LC and IB violations prohibitive.
Active Response Measures
Create de facto DMZ across Indian-held territory wherever violations occur.
Deliberately target Pakistani civilian population centres and force their evacuation.
Launch surprise nocturnal drone attacks on attractive targets across the LC and IB.
Carry out targeted killings. Plant IEDs in depth. Do not spare ‘soft targets’.
Sabotage communication links, development activities and administrative HQs.
Niccolo Machiavelli was certainly a man far ahead of his times.
Aims of Indian Countermeasures
Important aspects to be borne in mind should be:
Create ‘Fear’ and ‘Caution’ in the mind of the enemy without letting him have respite – round the clock, weeks on end, and bash on until he sues for peace and sticks to his word.
Do not allow LC violations from sliding into a war which we have not planned for.
Conclusion
Niccolo Machiavelli was certainly a man far ahead of his times. It takes great courage, independent analysis and thinking without fetters, to question the wisdom of that age and prove the great ancient Greek and Roman thinkers and scholars of statecraft wrong, as far as the duties of Kings and Rulers are concerned. He established that Statecraft, like Economics, is secular and has no ethics, and it is not bound by rules except the sole criteria that the party which applies the different weightings to the many contributing factors should vary these according to the existing circumstances to get the optimum favourable result. So there are no fixed formulae, to obtain the best results.
Niccolo had said that while dealing with other States, if there cannot be good relations, it is better to remain feared! Niccolo’s ardent followers included Cardinal Richelieu of France who was the First Minister to King Louis XIII, Thomas Cromwell, the Prime Minister of England, Klemens von Metternich of Austria who caused the downfall of Napolean by planting in his mind the idea of invading Russia and who later on perfected the ‘Balance of Powers’ arrangement which brought lasting peace and unprecedented prosperity in Europe during the 19th century, and Henry Kissinger who schemed the break-up of the Soviet colossus. But none acknowledged their admiration for Machiavelli so as to guard their reputation!
Chairman Mao was once having an informal chat with Liu Shao Chi (President) and Zhou En Lai (Premier). Mao jokingly asked, “How would you make a cat eat pepper?” Liu spoke promptly, “That’s easy. You get somebody to hold the cat, stuff the pepper in its mouth, and push it down with a chopstick.” Mao replied, “Never use force unless there is no other way.” Zhou suggested, “I would first starve the cat. Then I would wrap the pepper with a slice of meat and feed it.” Mao interjected, “One must not use deceit either, when it is not required.” On being queried what the Chairman would do, he replied, “Easy, you rub the pepper thoroughly into the cat’s backside. When it burns, the cat will lick it off – and be also happy that you have let it do so!” After all had laughed, the wise Chairman continued, “…That is how I want China’s foreign relations to be conducted.”
References
Machiavelli: The Chief Works and Others (3 Vols), Allan Gilbert, Durham, Duke University Press, 1965.
The Prince, Machiavelli: Translation & Notes, Quentin Skinner and Russel Price, Cambridge, 1988.
The 33 Strategies of War, Robert Greene, Profile Books, London, 2006.
Are We Deceiving Ourselves Again?, Arun Shourie, Rupa & Co., New Delhi, 2008.
The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia, Bill Hayton, Yale University Press, 2014.
Wikipedia.
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