The Ends Justify the Means in Today's Society.

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Plagge  

Gabe Plagge

IH 51

Section 44        

April 29, 2003

Paper #3

The Ends Justify the Means in Today’s Society

Throughout history, many political theorists have emerged, and shared their beliefs with their cultures at the time.  Some grew famous and became world renown.  Many views that they espoused lived on through the teachings of followers and the arguments of opponents.  Niccolo Machiavelli was one of these great thinkers.  His political analysis is still quarreled over today, and his philosophy raises many ethical questions, even in our present global society.  In perhaps Machiavelli’s most famous work, The Prince, the underlying theme is the belief that the ends justify the means.  In other words, if the outcome of a certain situation is advantageous, then it does not matter how that outcome was achieved.  In The Prince, Machiavelli extends this idea to the leadership of a state.  He explains to the reader that the Prince must do whatever necessary to establish a stable state.  Thus, if need be, the leader may kill, cheat, lie, or brutalize his way into a strong and sturdy position as leader.    This idea can be applied to many other situations, and is a theme that is still pertinent to our 2003 American society.

First, many business leaders adopt Machiavellian principles in running their companies, maintaining them, and making big profits. In the book, Management and Machiavelli, the author writes, “Corporations compete just as keenly as states, and are impelled by exactly the same human emotions of greed and fear and pride…” (Jay 14).  This quote recognizes the similarities between the mindsets of political and corporate leaders.  Not long ago in 2001, Kenneth Lay, the CEO of the Enron Corp., was investigated for unethical business practices.  Arthur Anderson, the company’s accounting firm was also under fire for its fraudulent actions.  The exposure of this deceitful corporation sparked a widespread investigation of big business in the United States, leading to the discovery of more companies breaking the same laws.  The heads of these firms were interested in making vast amounts of money, and did.  However, while raking profits in, at the same time they were blatantly deceiving their employees and investors.  These CEOs and their immediate staff were going to make millions of dollars no matter what actions needed to be taken.  To them, the ends justified the means.

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Recently, certain American political campaigns have been accused of accepting money from these corporations that employ dishonest business ethics.  For example, according to the BBC News website, , George W. Bush accepted campaign money from the Enron Corporation on the eve of the unveiled scandal in 2001.  The website reads, “Mr. Lay and Enron poured substantial sums into Mr Bush's various campaigns in what appeared to be a relentless quest for political influence”(Hale).  If the funds aid in an election for Bush, then it matters not that the money was the product of corrupt business practices.  Also, the idea that ...

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