Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Florentines and us

"Running through the whole political writings of the Florentine philosophers and historians, we find the same belief in artificial and arbitrary alterations of the state. Machiavelli pronounces his opinion that, in spite of the corruption of Florence, a wise legislator might effect her salvation. Skill alone was needed." - J. A. Symonds, Renaissance in Italy, pp.102-3

So is it with modern day Americans. Washington is corrupt through and through, but if only we appointed the right man for the job, the system could be reformed. This conceit will fare no better for us than it did for the Florentines, though I expect our end shall not be rule by foreign power, but by division and discord.

2 comments:

Koufax said...

I wouldn't be too sure that it won't be rule by a foreign power. You just have to look east or west to find likely suspects.

A Wiser Man Than I said...

I think it'd be too much of a hassle to try to rule all of us, but parts could certainly fall under foreign rule. The southwest becoming part of Mexico--again--is hardly far-fetched.