Machiavelli and Mahinda
I was traveling and Machiavelli’s ‘Prince’ fit into my backpack. It’s addressed to a Medici, but it could just as well serve a Rajapakse. There are a few major lessons I got from it. Wage war, and wage war decisively. Maintain popular support and buy off the nobles. Do not be played or beguiled by foreign forces. Be bold and unapologetic. Machiavellianism is seen as evil, but it’s also realistic. There is a better way, but we have to at least acknowledge the fact.
On War
I think the relevant points in the Sri Lanka context was the need to establish our own army, to give political support to war and to get the bloody and brutal part done thoroughly and fast.
The prince will be able to take care of himself if he has a sufficient supply of men or of money to put an adequate army in the field, capable of engaging anyone likely to attack him. (Chapter X)
As long as the Sri Lankan Army didn’t control the island or even Colombo, our prince’s power was never secure. For Machiavelli holding this power was the point and, in a cruel world, it ultimately is.
Mercenary and auxiliary [supplied by foreign power] forces are useless and dangerous… With mercenaries the danger lies in their cowardice; with auxiliaries, it lies in their capability… No state, unless it have its own arms, is secure. (Chapter XIII)
Auxiliary Indian troops (the IPKF) didn’t work out in Sri Lanka. Karuna and Pillayan never fielded a fighting force. In the end Mahinda greatly enlarged the Sri Lankan armed forces, mainly army. Hence the state, under its own arms, is secure (moreso). This required a steady focus from Mahinda.
A prince must have no other objective, no other thought, nor take up any profession but that of war, its methods and its discipline, for that is the only art expected of a ruler. (Chapter XIV)
Machiavelli also counseled, in times of war, to effectively rip the bandage off at once. To push forward, regardless of human cost.
In seizing a state one ought to consider all the injuries he will be obliged to inflict and then proceed to inflict them all at once. (Chapter VIII)
On Occupation
The Romans very carefully observed this policy in the provinces they conquered. They sent out colonies; they protected the lesser powers without increasing their strength; they reduced those who were strong, and they did not permit powerful foreigners to gain a footing. (Chapter III)
Mahinda’s done all these things with the exception of politically toxic colonies. Instead he’s setting up military occupation, which Machiavelli regarded as more expensive and less secure. In the other regards, however, it was essential to co-opt the Eastern Province through Pillayan. It was also prudent to pit Pillayan and Karuna against each other and make the former largely impotent by not devolving powers to the provincial level. Furthermore, keeping India and international NGOs and orgs on the sidelines was also essential.
He’s also followed the basic instruction to kill the opposing ‘prince’ (Prabhakaran) and his line. That plus dispersing and dividing the population is generally considered enough to pacify the place.
There is more on almost every subject, from power to appearance to foreign relations. I could go through it more later. What I like about Machiavelli is not that I agree with him, but that he’s realistic. Princedom has actually fallen the world over and I think there is a better democratic, Barackian way to govern, but in many cases – especially in warlike or developing countries – to paraphrase, there are so many men that do evil that a man who does good comes to ruin. When it comes to the practical truths of governing these unruly provinces, Mahinda has hemmed pretty close to a Machiavellian ideal.
I think these are interesting ideas in general, but I think people would also be wise to consider who Machiavelli addressed them to. Unlike HRW and UN reports which are directed to some vague conscience or benevolent organization deity, The Prince is addressed to the prince. It’s main concern is preserving his life and power. I don’t agree with all the prescriptions, but I think any policy recommendations would be wise to consider that ultimate, practical aim. Morality and ethics are great, but they’re only followed insomuch as they enable greater power and better performance than the opposite.
Whatever’s said and done, any recommendations for change may be better addressed not to Mahinda’s better nature but to his self-interest, and the self-preserving interest of the state.
good synopsis .. cheers
Very interesting. Shows how smart our president is. While helping my daughter revise OL buddhism I came across Dasa Raja Dharma. It is the advise given to kings by Buddha. You should have a look at it. Our president’s policies and actions are the exact opposite of Buddha’s advise. Now that the war is over the president should give Machiavelli a rest.
Dr Google helped me out:
The Ten Duties of the King (dasa-raja-dhamma):
The basic framework of Buddhist ethics for rulers is set out in the “Ten Duties of the King” (dasa-raja-dhamma):
1. Dana — liberality, generosity, charity. The ruler should not have craving and attachment for wealth and property, but should give it away for the welfare of the people.
2. Sila — a high and moral character. He should never destroy life, cheat, steal and exploit others, commit adultery, utter falsehood, or take intoxicating drinks.
3. Pariccaga — sacrificing everything for the good of the people. He must be prepared to give up all personal comfort, name and fame, and even his life, in the interest of the people.
4. Ajjava — honesty and integrity. He must be free from fear and favour in the discharge of his duties, must be sincere in his intentions, and must not deceive the public.
5. Maddava — kindness and gentleness. He must possess a genial temperament.
6. Tapa — austerity of habits. He must lead a simple life, and should not indulge in a life of luxury. He must have self-control.
7. Akkodha — freedom from envy, ill-will, enmity. He should bear no grudge against anybody.
8. Avihimsa — non-violence, which means not only that he should harm nobody, but that he should try to promote peace by avoiding and preventing war, and everything which involves violence and destruction of life.
9. Khanti — patience, forbearance, tolerance, understanding. He must be able to bear hardships, difficulties and insults without losing his temper.
10. Avirodha — non-opposition, non-obstruction, that is to say that he should not oppose the will of the people, should not obstruct any measures that are conducive to the welfare of the people. In other words he should rule in harmony with his people
http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs/dasajajadhamma.htm
Is there any Sri Lankan politician who has followed all these injunctions ?
1.The Dasa Raja Dhamma shows the bankruptcy of Sri Lankan society.
2.Lot of talk, rites & rituals about Buddhism but no practice. The joke that is sinhala-buddhist chauvinism (no stereo-
-type intended)