Lao-Tzu, Machiavelli, and the American Government

Lao-Tzus Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching and Machiavellis The Qualities of a Prince both give way the ultimate goal of making better leaders. The tactics that each writer chooses to present as a guide for the leader are almost opposite of each other. Todays American government would benefit from a combination of the twain extreme ideas. Lao-Tzus laissez-faire attitude towards the economy, as soundly as his small scale, theme defense military is appealing to a liberal person.Machiavellis attitude towards miserliness and petty(a)er taxes, while creation always prepared for war, would appeal to a conservative person. The writers are in agreement on almost issues, such as taxes, but other ideas, such as government involvement in the usual lives of citizens are completely opposed to one another. Lao-Tzu cerebrates in moderation and small government. He states that a leader should stay within his country and govern his people only. Lao-tzu and Machiavelli are political philosopher s writing in two different lands and two different times.Lao-tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher from 6th century BC, the author of Tao-te Ching, and Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher who lived 2000 eld after Lao-tzus time, author of Prince. They are both philosophers but have totally different perspective on how to be a good leader. While both philosophers writing is instructive. Lao-tzus advice issues from detached view of a general ruler Machiavellis advice is very personal perhaps demanding.Both philosophers idea will not work for todays world, because that forward-looking world is not as perfect as Lao-tzu described in Tao-te Ching, and not as jumbled as Machiavelli illustrated in Prince. In comparing and contrasting the governmental philosophies of the great thinkers Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli, I have rig a pleasant mix of both of their ideas would be the best for America today. Lao-Tzus laisse-faire attitude towards the economy, as well as his small scale military i s appealing to my liberal side, while Machiavellis attitude towards miserliness which causes low taxes appeals to the right wing.These great thinkers contradict the popular saying all great thinkers think alike. They have some(prenominal) ideas, such as taxes, that are the same, while other ideas, like the involvement of government in citizens cursory lives are totally opposite. I shall start with the ideas of Machiavelli, then move on to Lao-Tzus, and finally a par and application into American life. Niccolo Machiavelli believes in a strong government. The leader should be strong and feared. I believe he gets this idea from the fear of God.