{"id":197,"date":"2012-12-23T10:12:39","date_gmt":"2012-12-23T15:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/?page_id=197"},"modified":"2012-12-31T15:07:54","modified_gmt":"2012-12-31T20:07:54","slug":"chapter-24-how-not-to-be-re-elected","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-22-26\/chapter-24-how-not-to-be-re-elected\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 24: How Not to be Re-Elected"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newcomers are more closely watched by the public and the media than incumbents.<\/strong> Everyone knows what to expect from incumbents, but newcomers, especially new mayors, are a mystery that needs close observation. In part, it\u2019s because voters want assurances that they made the right decision to put you in office. It\u2019s also the natural suspicion of people towards anyone or anything new.<\/p>\n

When you prove yourself capable, Machiavelli writes in his Chapter XXIV<\/strong>: The Princes of Italy Have Lost Their States,<\/em> you will gain more loyalty than the former incumbents whom you defeated in the last election, in part because you prove the voters made the right choice:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe actions of a new prince are more closely observed than those of a hereditary one. When his actions are seen\u00a0to be skillful, they attract more men and bind their supporters far tighter to the prince than does ancient bloodlines\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One of the things you have to do to get re-elected is, over the rest of your term, make sure everyone knows how good and capable you are. Get your name and face in the media as often as you can, get it on Facebook, blogs and other social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cMen are more concerned with the present than with the past. When the present is good for them, they enjoy it and seek no further. The people will then make the utmost defence for a new prince as long as he does not fail them in other things.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Don\u2019t make waves, don\u2019t raise taxes too much, don\u2019t pass too many restrictive laws or curtail their rights too much, and people will be content. The voters won\u2019t hearken back to the \u2018good old days\u2019 under the last council; instead they will be happy to believe you\u2019re doing a good job.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, promote yourself shamelessly and frequently as the best example of good governance and as the people\u2019s champion so you\u2019re always in their minds:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will bring twice the glory to the prince who establishes a new principality, and strengthens it with good laws, good arms, reliable allies, and sets a good example\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Good laws, he wrote in The Discourses<\/em>, are those which are applied equally, without regard to the merit or status of the offender to mitigate them:<\/p>\n

\u201cNo well-ordered State ever strikes a balance between the services of its citizens and their misdeeds; but appointing rewards for good actions and punishment for bad, when it has rewarded a man for acting well, will afterwards, should he act ill, chastise him, without regard to his former deserts.\u201c
\nThe Discourses: I, 24<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Incumbents who lose their seat in an election suffer the disgrace of having lost with such an advantage over newcomers. This will reflect negatively on their reputation when they try to run again:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be twice the disgrace to him who, although born a prince, loses his state by his lack of wisdom or his incompetence.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is why many out-placed incumbents don\u2019t run in a subsequent election: the public has seen them as losers and fools, and they can\u2019t get enough support for their campaign. When they do run again, they usually don\u2019t get re-elected because the other candidates outshine them.<\/p>\n

Plan Ahead<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not luck or fate, says Machiavelli, that causes incumbents to lose their seat: it\u2019s their own damned fault. They were lazy, pre-occupied, complacent, and didn\u2019t plan ahead. They didn\u2019t promote themselves enough. They didn\u2019t prepare themselves for challenges, and generally trusted in the ignorance and inertia of voters to return them. They didn\u2019t change with the times. They continued pursuing old school politics and that took them on a short trip to political oblivion.<\/p>\n

We all know incumbents who have acted like royalty; l\u2019etat c\u2019est moi<\/em>. They took their roles and privileges for granted, flaunted their position, and made critical comments about the ideas and goals of others without championing ideas of their own. They left themselves vulnerable to an aggressive, active challenger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur princes\u2026used to believe it was enough for them to know how to \u2026 write a beautiful letter, to show wit\u00a0and promptness in sayings and in his words, know how to weave a deception, ornament himself with gems and gold, to sleep and eat with greater splendor than others, to keep many lascivious persons around, to conduct himself avariciously and haughtily toward his subjects, to become rotten with idleness, hand out appointments at his will, express contempt for anyone who may have demonstrated any praiseworthy manner\u2026These little men were unaware that they were preparing themselves to be the prey of anyone who assaulted them\u201d
\nThe Art of War: VII<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The incumbent who just coasted into office, but didn\u2019t work toward a goal or campaign on issues next time, often blames bad luck for his or her failure to be re-elected:<\/p>\n

\u201cPrinces who lost their principalities should not blame luck for their loss after so many years’ possession, but rather they should blame their own inability and indolence. In quiet times they never imagined there could be a change; it is a common fault in men not to anticipate a storm when the sea is calm. Afterwards, when the bad times came, they thought of escape, instead of defending themselves.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These politicians often hope that a subsequent election will see them returned to office when people have tired of the uppity newcomers:<\/p>\n

\u201cThey hoped that the people, disgusted with the insolence of the conquerors, would later recall them.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, out-placed incumbents can make successful comebacks. Sometimes they do so, riding in on the inability of the current council members to retain their seats for the same reason the former incumbents lost theirs. Sometimes they manage to conduct successful campaign to restore their reputation in the media and on social media while they await the next election. Sometimes the choice of candidates is so awful that the former incumbents actually look good.<\/p>\n

Mostly they get back in by depending on others \u2013 allies, campaign teams, dissidents in the administration \u2013 to rally their support, often in opposition to current incumbents. Voters often vote people out rather than in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen all else fail, it may be good to depend on others. But people do not simply fall down because they believe others will help them to stand up again.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As Machiavelli notes, this is dangerous because by relying on others to restore you, you gather obligations like a rolling snowball, and you make promises that you have to honour later, or else you create new enemies:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this happens that others restore you, it will not be for your security. Any deliverance that does not depend on your own skill does not really help you. The only reliable things are your own actions and your own ability.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In other words: you and your actions get yourself un-elected, and only you can safely make a comeback by proving yourself worthy of being returned. Don\u2019t depend on others to get you there because it will only lead to further obligations and problems.
\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/em>
\nPrevious Chapter<\/a> – Next Chapter<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Newcomers are more closely watched by the public and the media than incumbents. Everyone knows what to expect from incumbents, but newcomers, especially new mayors, are a mystery that needs close observation. In part, it\u2019s because voters want assurances that they made the right decision to put you in office. It\u2019s also the natural suspicion … Continue reading “Chapter 24: How Not to be Re-Elected”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":279,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":209,"url":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-1-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":197,"position":0},"title":"Chapters 1-7","author":"Ian Chadwick","date":"December 23, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Click on any chapter to go directly there: Chapter 1: Home Town Kingdoms Chapter 2: Why Incumbents Rule Municipalities Chapter 3: Newcomers Versus Incumbents Chapter 4: Flexing Your Muscles Chapter 5: Troublesome Incumbents & Staff Chapter 6: New Ideas Make Enemies Chapter 7: With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies?\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 1 comment","block_context":{"text":"With 1 comment","link":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-1-7\/#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":36,"url":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-1-7\/chapter-2-why-incumbents-rule-municipalities\/","url_meta":{"origin":197,"position":1},"title":"Chapter 2: Why Incumbents Rule Municipalities","author":"Ian Chadwick","date":"December 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"In Chapter II: Concerning Hereditary Principalities, Machiavelli describes the advantages a hereditary ruler has over one who has taken the principality by force. Today we don\u2019t use the same sort of armed force to win our power: we use elections and campaign teams; battlegrounds and armies of a different sort.\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":134,"url":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-8-14\/chapter-9-problems-newcomers-face\/","url_meta":{"origin":197,"position":2},"title":"Chapter 9: Problems Newcomers Face","author":"Ian Chadwick","date":"December 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Perhaps even more relevant to municipal politicians\u00a0who are elected\u00a0to their role than his comments on hereditary states, Machiavelli also wrote about republican states where a ruler was appointed from among the populace, \u201c\u2026by the favour of his fellow citizens, not\u00a0by wickedness or force, this may be called a civil principality.\u201d\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43,"url":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-1-7\/chapter-3-newcomers-versus-incumbents\/","url_meta":{"origin":197,"position":3},"title":"Chapter 3: Newcomers Versus Incumbents","author":"Ian Chadwick","date":"December 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Machiavelli called this Chapter III: Concerning Mixed Principalities. In it, he wrote about new principalities that had been conquered by outsiders, or their leaders overthrown by the populace. In today\u2019s terms this could refer to a group of incumbents getting tossed out at election time, and replaced by a slate\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":23,"url":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-1-7\/chapter-1-home-town-kingdoms\/","url_meta":{"origin":197,"position":4},"title":"Chapter 1: Home Town Kingdoms","author":"Ian Chadwick","date":"December 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"In Chapter I: How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are, and by What Means They Are Acquired, Machiavelli opened The Prince with a brief description of two types of states common in his contemporary Italy: \u201cAll states, all powers\u2026 are either republics or\u00a0principalities.\u201d In his day, almost every state in\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":72,"url":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/chapters-1-7\/chapter-5-troublesome-incumbents-staff\/","url_meta":{"origin":197,"position":5},"title":"Chapter 5: Troublesome Incumbents & Staff","author":"Ian Chadwick","date":"December 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Machiavelli wrote that there were three courses of action\u00a0to take in any state that had enjoyed its independence and freedom before being taken over. Think of this \u2018independent state\u2019 as your municipality before you were elected. His advice directs you in ways to deal with staff and returning incumbents in\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":653,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions\/653"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/machiavelli\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}