Foreign Policy: What Would Machiavelli Say About Trump?

A ruler must maintain the image of a trustworthy and just person.

U.S. President Donald Trump often acts in defiance of the rules of political conduct that Niccolò Machiavelli set forth in his treatise *The Prince*, writes Foreign Policy.

Machiavelli believed that it is more advantageous for a ruler to instill fear than to rely on the love of his subjects. But even more dangerous, in his view, is to earn hatred or contempt. This is precisely where Trump faces his main problem: his threats lose their power when other nations see the inconsistency of American policy and the possibility that agreements already reached could be renegotiated.

“It is better to be feared than loved,” the publication quotes Machiavelli’s famous saying.

The economy and government spending are discussed separately. Machiavelli advised rulers to handle money cautiously and not to try to buy loyalty with generous promises. Trump’s policies—which involve increasing the deficit, military spending, and new financial commitments—contradict this principle.

Another important principle of Machiavelli concerned military strategy. A ruler must understand the capabilities and limitations of military force and consider the consequences of his decisions. In the case of the war against Iran, this principle proved particularly important: the conflict led to serious economic and foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Machiavelli allowed for deception and the breaking of promises, but believed that a ruler must maintain the image of a trustworthy and just person. “A ruler must appear merciful, faithful, and honest,” states *The Prince*.

Toughness, threats, and unpredictability can help maintain power only up to a certain point. When allies and adversaries stop believing in promises and no longer understand what to expect from Washington, American influence begins to wane. In this sense, Trump’s current policies seem more like an example of how a ruler should not act.

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