Poll: Should a leader be feared or loved?

[chowderface]

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.

This. Machiavelli was actually a pretty big fan of republics, as I understand it. Insofar as you could take The Prince seriously, though, Machiavelli didn't make a dichotomy of it; he just said that, if outside factors MAKE a dichotomy of it, being feared is preferable to being loved.

 

[ReincarnatedFTP]

As an anarchist (or someone with anarchist leanings, [social anarchist/anarcho-socialist/libertarian socialist/whatever you wanna call it specifically, but I respect other forms of anarchism and governmental political thought] I would say you shouldn't have leaders at all if possible. You should be equals and comrades.

If you do need a leader, the leader should be respected and treated fairly as long as they reciprocate the same respect and fair treatment.
Not feared or loved. After all, they're just another person doing their job.

 

[Treblaine]

Best leader should be both in equivalent measure.

Poll fail.

 

[SillyBear]

What's that saying? You catch more flies with sperm than with vinegar? So, yeah. Love works best.

 

[phantasmalWordsmith]

I'm gonna quote iron man "Is it too much to ask for both?" Either way works I guess but I'd rather be respected

 

[Estarc]

Neither. Hitler was loved, and Stalin was feared.

What I mean by that, is of course that it isn't black and white. Just because a leader manages to gain his peoples' affection and respect doesn't mean he's a good guy. And a leader making harsh choices for the greater good of his people, thus making them hate him, might have a point.

But, in a general sense, I'd just go with loved. Robert Mugabe and Colonel Gaddafi are two examples of leaders people hate, and with good reason. I don't really need to list any widely loved leaders to juxtapose against them, since the alternative pretty much has to be better.

 

[Cazza]

Now loved you don't get reelected if your feared.

 

[tthor]

Neither, he should be respected.

You can fear a leader, yet still respect them. You can even love a leader, yet not respect them. It doesn't matter how you feel about the leader personally, what matters is that you respect the leader and his judgement

 

[Woem]

A leader should be loved. One thing that bothers me because I just can grab the concept, is how some people are proud to be "God-fearing Americans". Why is it such a good and honorable thing to fear your God? Would it not be better to follow your God because you like what He stands for, instead of being afraid of His punishment? I'd rather meet a God-loving American than a God-fearing one.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Depends on what kind, a tyrannic/military leader must be feared so the choices he makes are not questioned (i.e. everyone knows he has no trouble killing them for disobedience)

A society leader however must be loved, people should respect his work for what it is, and more to the point the leader should fear his people (if he doesn't do the right job he gets replaced).

 

[graverobber2]

"People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people"
- Quote from V for Vendetta


EDIT: somewhat ninjaed by Mr.K

 

[Sejs Cube]

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

Well if you're writing a paper then you should read it again.

"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

 

[RivFader86]

Loved by women, feared by men and washed by midgets.


PS: No matter what you do...if someone loves you for it someone else will hate you for it.

 

[2718]

Neither. A leader should be subject to constant scrutiny and distrust. Only people who does not want power are fit to wield it.

 

[DonMartin]

I've read a lot of Machiavelli's writings, but no matter if he speaks on the behalf of a democracy, or "Il Principe", I cant take a man who looks like a mole seriously.

"Guuuys, Im super serious!"


(I kid, I kid.)

 

[Geo Da Sponge]

Well of course, from the leader's point of view it's better to be permanent than either.

 

[JochemDude]

How about Respect, that's all that's neccesary.

 

[Astoria]

Should be a mixture of both. A leader who isn't loved has the risk of being rebelled against. A leader who isn't feared has the risk of being walked over. Respected is the main thing a leader needs to be which is a bit of both.