Machiavelli discusses the importance of religion in Rome and applies its virtue as an essential part of the success of a state. He notes religion as having more meaning to the Romans than the law and describes its good institutions as being the reason for good fortune. Machiavelli also states:
"And as the observance of religious teachings is the reason for the
greatness of republics, in like manner the disdain of the practice is
the cause of their ruin; for where the fear of God is lacking a kingdom
must either come to ruin or be sustained by the fear of a prince who
makes up for the lack of religion."I think that this is interesting because when this idea is brought to modern day, one can not help but be reminded of the U.S.S.R. The communist state was without religion and a tyrannical communist government struggle to replace religion with fear and propaganda. It may be part of the reason for its eventual ruin. What i would have liked to have asked Machiavelli is how he would have viewed the religious and irreligious hodgepodge that makes up America today.
1 comment:
Jordan,
Good job. I like your example of the USSR. You needed to say a bit more about why religion is so important according to Mach -- because it produces great fear. This would have tied to your point about the USSR -- that fear of a govt isn't as powerful as a fear of God (acc. to Mach).
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