Poll: Should a leader be feared or loved?

[jbchillin]

For the last paper in my English class we have to write a paper on whether a leader should be feared or loved. The paper is based off the writings of Machiavelli. I was just wondering what you people think. I already have my paper mostly finished and i was just wondering what others thought so i'm not actually using this for my paper its just a question.

 

[Serenegoose]

I think a leader should be elected. That simple, really, surely?

 

[spartan231490]

I think it depends on scale. A king, or president, or some other ruler of a large nation should be feared. Loved would be a good bonus, but you would need the fear. On a smaller scale, like mayor or Governor type scale, i think the reverse is true. If you are feared at that level, the people will hate you and work against you when possible, but if you are loved, the group is small enough that your supporters will help protect you from your opposition, if there is any.

 

[baconsarnie]

Why not both, loved for bringing prosperity to the people but feared for bringing swift justice down upon those who would do harm to others.
Not so feared that people feel imprisoned within their own country, but not so loved as to trivialize the seriousness of the leader.
Just like a teacher, liked for being knowledgeable and understanding but still has it in them to bite your head off when you don't do your work.

 

[Terminate421]

Let this do the work

 

[SilentCom]

I think a leader should be elected. That simple, really, surely?

Wow, this for sure. Maybe a little respect added too for good measure.

 

[Hader]

Machiavelli would say both. For the most part, I would agree. Can't generalize too much here though.

 

[jbchillin]

Machiavelli would say both. For the most part, I would agree. Can't generalize too much here though.

from what i read he said feared he didnt say both

 

[Zantos]

They should be loved by their people and feared by everyone else.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

The Prince was basically a huge piss-take on Macchiavelli's part. All his other writings take almost a completely opposite position of what he was saying there. Macchiavelli was the original Stephen Colbert.

 

[OrokuSaki]

"A wise man once asked, 'Is it better to be feared or respected?' ? I say, is it too much to ask for both? With that in mind I humbly present you the crown jewel of Stark Industries' Freedom Line. It's the first missile system to incorporate latest proprietary Repulsor Technology. They say that the best weapon is the one that you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree! I prefer... the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it... and it's worked out pretty well so far."

Yeah, I quoted Iron Man.

 

[Bon_Clay]

I think they should be respected for the job they are doing and the effort they put in to do it right. If they don't have that, then they probably aren't right for the job.

They should never be feared, the government should serve the people, not the other way around. If they aren't doing their job right you fire them and hire someone else who knows what they are doing and won't abuse the position.

Some people will probably love them, some not so much. But to whatever degree people agree with or like them, everyone should criticize them freely and openly. Even if the leader is your personal hero and you look up to them greatly, telling them that doesn't help them lead better.

 

[ZeroMachine]

Personally, I think that...

Let this do the work

... You know what, nevermind, I like this.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

Both if at all possible.

 

[Jark212]

I would rather have a leader that I respected...

I love Pepsi and fear the dark, and I don't want ether of those to be in a position of power...

 

[The Urban Moose]

Is it too much to ask for both?

 

[Biosophilogical]

I would rather have a leader that I respected...

I love Pepsi and fear the dark, and I don't want ether of those to be in a position of power...

Hahahaha! I love this so much!

OT: How about respectfully loved? As in, you are respected for your dedication, intelligence, rationality and fairness, and loved for the ideals that you apply yourself to. So your methods are respected, but the actual subject of your efforts are so good that people can't help but love you.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

"A wise man once asked, 'Is it better to be feared or respected?' ? I say, is it too much to ask for both? With that in mind I humbly present you the crown jewel of Stark Industries' Freedom Line. It's the first missile system to incorporate latest proprietary Repulsor Technology. They say that the best weapon is the one that you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree! I prefer... the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it... and it's worked out pretty well so far."

Yeah, I quoted Iron Man.

You should write this! Especially since Robert Downey Junior actually ad-libbed that bit. Awesome.

Personally I think the idea of a leader only being able to be loved or feared is a bit dumb, what is this, Fable? A leader of a nation is supposed to improve the lifestyle of the group as a whole, prefereably not to the detriment of other nations, or future generations. If doing that involves shoving guns down everyones throats and sending everyone to work in the mines then something has gone terribly wrong (Unless your Margaret Thatcher, in which case bringing everyone out of the mines was a horrible and callous act.) We shouldn't fear our government, unless we do something wrong. Their job should be to make us feel safe.