From a Machiavellian perspective what did Hillary Clinton do wrong and what did Donald Trump do right during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Machiavellian Dilemmas
Question: Please thoroughly answer 4 out of the 7 questions provided below. Please read the questions and the guidelines provided by the instructor!!!
- You are running for Congress. Although you have not made it a major issue in your campaign, you are a supporter of gay rights. Your opponent is an outspoken critic of gay rights. You are given evidence confirming that your opponent is a closet homosexual. Given the political culture of the district, disclosing this information could damage him politically. Would you use this information? If so, how would you use it?
- From a Machiavellian perspective what did Hillary Clinton do wrong and what did Donald Trump do right during the 2016 presidential campaign.
- You are the Presidentʼs national security advisor. The President has the reputation of an idealist but you are a “tough” Machiavellian realist. There is increasing instability in a country considered vital to U. S. security interests. The elected president (who has never been particularly friendly to the U. S.) seems unable to keep order, the opposition in the streets is growing increasingly violent, and the military is ready to seize power. A multi-agency task force has suggested the following options: doing nothing, supporting the current president, covertly supporting a military takeover, sending our own troops into the country, asking the U. N. to intervene, facilitating negotiations between the various factions. How would you advise the President?
- From a Machiavellian perspective how should we judge President Kennedyʼs response to the Cuban Missile Crisis? We will have to briefly recap what happened.
- You are organizing a massive protest in a large city. Your coalition includes a variety of groups who employ a
diversity of tactics. Most of the groups are only interested in legal marches and rallies, a few smaller groups are eager to participate in non violent civil disobedience and one smaller group will not rule out committing acts of violence against property. You are repeatedly asked by the police and media if your coalition advocates illegal and/or violent action. The moderate groups are increasingly nervous about the prospect for confrontation with the authorities. The radical groups contend that such a confrontation may be necessary to expose the naked brutality of the elites. There also will be counter-demonstrators protesting your protest. How would you handle this situation in a way that achieves the goals of your movement.
- How would a contemporary Machiavellian approach the use of drones by the United States as part of the “war on
terrorism”? What specific questions would have to be addressed?
- From a Machiavellian perspective how would we assess Trumpʼs presidency so far?
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Teacher stated the following: If this interests you, do as much as you like. I would pick four of them and go into depth on each one. You could explain how a Machiavellian would resolves these dilemmas and you could point the strengths and weakness, either from a Machiavellian point of view or from a “moral” perspective. Would Machiavellians disagree with each other on an issue? Just have fun with it.
Here what I mean by two Machiavellians disagreeing. Two Democrats might be willing to put aside their view on issues and agree to support the most “electable” candidate. But they might disagree he about who that is. One Machiavellian says its obviously Biden because he is more moderate and Sanders is too radical. The other Machiavellian argues that it’s Sanders because his “angry” style will be more effective in a debate with Trump.
What would Machiavelli think of a persons who refuses to vote for the “lesser of two evils”
Lots to think about.
— Instructor
Grading Guidelines:
(1) A clear introduction that addresses directly the question posed by the instructor;
(2) A body of factual examples that support your thesis; these examples may be drawn from either the assigned readings or footnoted sources researched independently by the student; Wikipedia is not an appropriate source for academic essays;
(3) A coherent paragraph structure that highlights your main points; and
(4) Appropriate citations for materials drawn from the works of others; plagiarized threads will be penalized.
(5) Should be approximately 340-360 words in length for each respective question.
REQUIREMENTS
Santa Monica College Pol Sci 51
Masters Political Science
Answer preview……………….
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