1.1 Introduction
Niccolo Machiavelli appears to have generated more controversy than any of his contemporaries. So much notoriety has gathered around his name that the charge of being a Machiavellian still remains a serious accusation in current political debate. Political thinkers from time immemorial had propounded one theory after another, all geared toward the betterment and upliftment of humanity. One salient feature of all these theories is that the propounders have the same objective mentally but their ideological and methodological approaches are what alienated one from the other.
In the case of Machiavelli, he posited a complex relationship between morality and politics, and associated the office of a ruler with the ability to know and act within the political world as it is and with the beastly abilities to dispense violence and practice deception. Besides, the hallmark of Machiavellianism lies in the fact that evil means can be used to achieve good end. Hence, when one has a good intention personal to him, what matters is not the process through which this goal is achieved but the emphasis lies on the fact of being able to attain the selfish interest. However, my concern is to x-ray philosophically the principle of Machiavelli and how its influences have held the contemporary Nigerian society to ransom.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In the history of philosophy, scholars have always subscribed to the classical standard of morality needed to be maintained by the state. However, politics made a dramatic break with previous political doctrines anchored in moral and religious systems of thought. Unlike his classical predecessors, who took their political bearings from divinely sanctioned conceptions of justice, Machiavelli oriented himself to the effectual truth of politics; how the world actually is rather than how it ought to be. To say the least, Machiavelli's realistic political stance seems to have contravened all previous and socially respectable forms of political reflection. Contrary to the traditional political theories, Machiavelli insists that the nature of political sovereignty gives priority to practicality over morality.
Politics is the primary concern of Machiavelli and power plays a central role in politics. Little wonder, he stressed the need to be realistic in confronting political affairs. He insists that a leader more than being ethical, must be cunning, deceitful and very flexible. It is not that the leader must be evil in order to rule. It is simply that the leader must know the need of the moment. Machiavelli sees politics as a political battle field with the ruler as the Military General who knows the most appropriate strategies and best techniques to be applied in any particular circumstances.
Machiavelli was infact a man of astonishing and striking contrasts. For him, anyone who ignores reality in order to live up to an idea will discover that he has been taught how to destroy himself. No doubt, Machiavelli was a great Political Philosopher who lived in Italy during the height of the Renaissance. Today, he is widely known for the controversial political views found in his masterpiece, the Prince. As a diplomat, his travels made him realise that both political power and stability were possible if the right formulas were followed. Little wonder, his views on politics set him apart from any other political philosopher before him as he probed deep into the conflict between politics and ethics. For him, politics and matters of the state were always of utmost importance. He sees the state as the primary good. It is the state that provides security and freedom for its citizens; therefore, everything must be done in order to maintain it. More than anything else, this belief has placed political leaders above ethical standards.
In the words of Machiavelli, the end justifies the means. Leaders must do everything they can to support the state, even if their actions at times seem unethical. Machiavelli believed in strong secularism, as he insists that citizens should place nothing (not even God) above the state. The state and the state alone exists to provide citizens with security. It is worthy to note that Machiavelli's call for secularism still reflects in modern governments of today through the separation of church and state. It is a common knowledge that political leaders mask their true intentions, avoid inconsistency and frequently acts against mercy, faith, humanity, frankness, religion, in order to preserve the state.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to comparatively analyze the Machiavellian Principle and Nigerian Society.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the basic problem in Machiavellian principle is the outright rejection of morality. There is no place for fair play, justice, peace and fairness. Machiavelli's popular maxim that the end justifies the means is a scathing attack on moral principles.
1.4 Purpose of Study
The high level of moral decadence that has permeated every facet of Nigerian society has instigated me toward embarking on this topic. The dangers of Machiavellianism constitute one of the most problematic threats to the moral basis of political life of every nation in general and Nigeria in particular.
My primary purpose is to x-ray how Machiavellian principle has penetrated our political and other dimensions of life right from the moment Nigeria got her independence to this present time. Thus, by x-raying this principle, I intend to place it side by side with Nigerian situation and how it has permeated the political, economic and the religious scenario of our country. In addition, I shall critically appraise Machiavellian principle and how reliable it has been in solving human precarious political predicament and whether his ideology has any hope for Nigerian society.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Comparative Analysis of Machiavellian Principle and Nigerian Society.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Methodology
The entire work is arranged into five chapters. It employs the following methods: expository, analytical, comparative, review, critical and evaluative methods. However, the method that appears to dominate the work is the critical method. Chapter one deals with the explanation and analysis of Machiavellianism, the political ideology and background to the political theory of Machiavelli. In chapter two, the views of some philosophers are discussed together with Machiavelli’s idea of morality. Chapter three exposes Nigerian situation and Machiavelli’s influence on her. Chapter four analyzes critically Machiavellianism and Nigerian government together with the effects of Machiavellianism in Nigeria. While in chapter five, which is the last chapter, contains the evaluation and conclusion.
