A brief profile on the NDP's new leader who has some big shoes to fill as the leader of Canada's Leader of the Official Opposition, and the shoes of the legendary and deceased Jack Layton.
The NDP legacy that Mulcair must continue can be applied to the works of Italian philosopher and contributor to political science, Niccolo Machiavelli and his popular political guide known as "The Prince". The Prince, in some ways, acts as the bible for all modern day politicians, with "The Prince" politicians will learn to rule and rise with power in an efficient and authoritarian manner. With Mr. Mulcair having to be new to the world of political leaders, I feel that "The Prince" will do well in terms of guiding Mr. Mulcair if he were to read, or at least apply one or two of Machiavelli's words of political wisdom. Here are a few examples from "The Prince" that can apply to a "new prince" like Mulcair who is new to being in power, "The Prince" can help Mulcair run the NDP Party efficiently during his time on the NDP throne.
Chapter XVIII: Point 5 - How a Prince Should Keep His Word
"How praiseworthy it is for a prince to keep his word and to live by integrity and not deceit...."
The NDP have much to offer in terms of political change, things they would do if they were in power. When Thomas Mulcair was running, he had a solid platform that satisfied and kept NDP followers happy, a platform that can be followed in order to make the changes that can help Canada today. Some of the following issues that Mulcair touches on with this platform include:
- Improvement on family health services
- Looking into the climate change issue
- More of a leadership role in the country
- More involvement on the international stage
These issues also branch out into further issues and things that Mulcair and the NDP would change. The following platform was written by former NDP leader Jack Layton who has done a tremendous job in getting the NDP far in their political legacy. Many Canadians admired Layton for his dedication and hard work, which are a good reflection of a man who remains loyal and keeps his word. With Mulcair replacing Layton as NDP leader, he must follow the similar path in terms of dealing and communicating with the people. Machiavelli states that a prince who honors his word is generally praised by others. With much to learn as a new leader, Mulcair as the NDP's new prince must live up to those expectations that were left by Layton, to fulfill the wishes of the people. Layton was considered to be a people person which made more Canadians trust in him and what he stood for as the NDP's leader. Also a prince should present the appearance of being a compassionate, trustworthy, kind, guileless, and pious ruler. Although it is hard and almost impossible to fulfill those wishes all the time, as long as a prince acts that way and at least shows some of those qualities towards the people, people will virtue you as a prince. Mulcair must present that image in order to communicate and present himself well to Canadians, it is those virtues of courage, devotion, trust, kindness and other positive qualities that a prince must use to attract the minds of the general public in order to have a unit of public support. In conclusion, Mulcair must follow the same attitude and idea that Layton followed which will ensure the trust of many as he continues to promote the NDP platform which he'll use to the best of his extent to create change in Canada, change that will ensure that the vast majority of people will remain safe under NDP rule.
Chapter XIX: Point 6 - On Avoiding Being Despised and Hated
"...should concentrate upon on avoiding those things which make him hated and despised..."
The last thing you need to be when in power is to be hated and despised, a prince should avoid that. Point 6 connects well with point 5, due to the fact that the way you act as a prince in terms of trust and being a people person reflects on whether you will be hated or not. Whether you will be hated or not depends on your actions and how you communicate with the general public. Machiavelli states that a prince should not be frivolous, cowardly or posses any negative quality that will reflect on how the people will see the prince in terms of attitude and actions. With Mulcair being the NDP's new leader, on all front's he's stepping into the large shoes of the NDP that were once worn by Jack Layton. Sometimes for a new prince, it is hard to live up to the previous prince, especially if the previous has done an amazing job for a long time, putting the party in a good position. Mulcair must be careful at the beginning stage of becoming a new leader, careful that he doesn't make any mistake(s) that could have his supporters, NDP supporters, hate him for life. Mulcair must continue to lead the NDP as the opposing party fighting against Stephen Harper, in order to do so, he must stick to his goal of changing Canada and helping fellow Canadians. All positive actions needed to gain more support, and to remain not despised and hated by Canadians abroad.
Chapter XXII: Point 9 - On the Prince's Private Advisers
"The choice of advisers is of no little import to a prince..."
As the new leader of the NDP, Mulcair must ensure himself that his "advisers" do their duty. By advisers, I mean other members of the NDP party, such as the Members of Parliament who represent the NDP party all around Canada. Technically, their only private to the point where they remain loyal to the party they represent and the values and morals that symbolizes the party and its actions, and how Canadians perceive them; thereby, making them public advisers in some way. Machiavelli states that "...the first error he (a Prince) makes is made in his choice of advisers", by applying this to Canadian politics, you can argue that in the case for Mulcair, he must make sure that the MP's that represent the NDP in different parts of Canada represent in an efficient manner to further influence Canadians abroad to encourage change in their government. Machiavelli also says that "... there is this way which never fails" furthering that paragraph with the idea that if the prince's advisers think more about themselves and not the prince, concerns themselves with their own interests, that type of adviser is considered unfit to be an adviser, thereby never to be trusted. Mulcair must be careful in the choice of NDP MP's in Canada and make sure they do their part in completing the deeds for the NDP and for Mulcair, thereby earning the trust of Mulcair and remain as a vital member in the NDP. Sometimes there can be the scare or potential risk of turning back on the party, public scandals (personal and political) and putting your own deeds first. As the NDP's new leader, Mulcair must make sure that the following risks do not happen. Those risks can be prevented by creating new/maintaining strong relationships with the MP's, which can ensure good relationships among members within the party and realize that their duty is to put the work of NDP first over their own needs, wants, and possibly deeds. In conclusion, in order to maintain an efficient party, you need people within that party who are committed, trustworthy, reliable and honorable if you are a man of power, in Machiavelli's sense... a prince, and in Mulcair's sense... the new leader of the opposing party in Canada, that being the NDP.
The following three Machiavellian lessons which are vital when looking into a new modern day Machiavellian Prince are: "How a Prince Should Keep His Word", "On Avoiding Being Despised or Hated" and finally "On the Princes Private Advisers". Thomas Mulcair acts as a perfect example of a new Machiavellian prince, being the new NDP leader since the end of March 2012. Although the NDP are not in control of Canada's government, with Thomas Mulcair as the new NDP prince, he must use Machiavellian teachings to continue to influence NDP supporters and Canadians abroad to vote NDP and make Mulcair our new leader. Mulcair also has to the big shoes of former NDP leader Jack Layton to fill, as Layton lead the legacy that took the NDP many places, Mulcair must use and apply Machiavelli to continue the NDP's success and further their road to political destiny. This grand example shows how Machiavelli can be applied to any new "prince" whether their old and have been in power for years, or is new to the political game and has many years of leading to come.
Sources:
Layton, Jack. "NDP Platform: My Commitment to you, Leadership you can Trust to give your Family a Break." www.ndp.ca. New Democratic Party, n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2012. <http://www.ndp.ca/platform>.
Machiavelli , Niccolo . The Prince. 1532. 58-78. Print.
Chapter XXII: Point 9 - On the Prince's Private Advisers
"The choice of advisers is of no little import to a prince..."
As the new leader of the NDP, Mulcair must ensure himself that his "advisers" do their duty. By advisers, I mean other members of the NDP party, such as the Members of Parliament who represent the NDP party all around Canada. Technically, their only private to the point where they remain loyal to the party they represent and the values and morals that symbolizes the party and its actions, and how Canadians perceive them; thereby, making them public advisers in some way. Machiavelli states that "...the first error he (a Prince) makes is made in his choice of advisers", by applying this to Canadian politics, you can argue that in the case for Mulcair, he must make sure that the MP's that represent the NDP in different parts of Canada represent in an efficient manner to further influence Canadians abroad to encourage change in their government. Machiavelli also says that "... there is this way which never fails" furthering that paragraph with the idea that if the prince's advisers think more about themselves and not the prince, concerns themselves with their own interests, that type of adviser is considered unfit to be an adviser, thereby never to be trusted. Mulcair must be careful in the choice of NDP MP's in Canada and make sure they do their part in completing the deeds for the NDP and for Mulcair, thereby earning the trust of Mulcair and remain as a vital member in the NDP. Sometimes there can be the scare or potential risk of turning back on the party, public scandals (personal and political) and putting your own deeds first. As the NDP's new leader, Mulcair must make sure that the following risks do not happen. Those risks can be prevented by creating new/maintaining strong relationships with the MP's, which can ensure good relationships among members within the party and realize that their duty is to put the work of NDP first over their own needs, wants, and possibly deeds. In conclusion, in order to maintain an efficient party, you need people within that party who are committed, trustworthy, reliable and honorable if you are a man of power, in Machiavelli's sense... a prince, and in Mulcair's sense... the new leader of the opposing party in Canada, that being the NDP.
The following three Machiavellian lessons which are vital when looking into a new modern day Machiavellian Prince are: "How a Prince Should Keep His Word", "On Avoiding Being Despised or Hated" and finally "On the Princes Private Advisers". Thomas Mulcair acts as a perfect example of a new Machiavellian prince, being the new NDP leader since the end of March 2012. Although the NDP are not in control of Canada's government, with Thomas Mulcair as the new NDP prince, he must use Machiavellian teachings to continue to influence NDP supporters and Canadians abroad to vote NDP and make Mulcair our new leader. Mulcair also has to the big shoes of former NDP leader Jack Layton to fill, as Layton lead the legacy that took the NDP many places, Mulcair must use and apply Machiavelli to continue the NDP's success and further their road to political destiny. This grand example shows how Machiavelli can be applied to any new "prince" whether their old and have been in power for years, or is new to the political game and has many years of leading to come.
Sources:
Layton, Jack. "NDP Platform: My Commitment to you, Leadership you can Trust to give your Family a Break." www.ndp.ca. New Democratic Party, n.d. Web. 1 Jun 2012. <http://www.ndp.ca/platform>.
Machiavelli , Niccolo . The Prince. 1532. 58-78. Print.
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