Author: Abu Raef
Secularism (Part 29)
Nicola Machiavelli and Principles of Governance
The first individual in European society to advocate for the separation of religion from politics and the implementation of secularism was the Italian philosopher, Nicola Machiavelli. Machiavelli’s theory was based on three important principles:
1. Man is an evil and malicious creature, and his sense of benevolence is fake; therefore, if he pursues evil, there is no blame, as it is part of his nature.
2. The complete separation of religion from politics and ethics; he ruled out any kind of connection between religion, politics, and ethics.
3. The goal justifies the means. According to this theory, Machiavelli believed that the primary goal of human creation is governance, and in the pursuit of this goal, any means can be employed without moral issues.
Although these ideas of Machiavelli were initially rejected and the Church declared it forbidden to read his book (Shahriar) or examine his opinions, European society revisited Machiavelli’s ideas in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially after the dark and shameful history associated with the Church. At this stage, the democratic government style, combined with the separation of religion from politics and ethics, gained wide acceptance, leading European governance toward this approach.
Baker states, “Today’s democracy, in both thought and reality, is nothing but the result of the conflict with the government that society engaged in during the 17th and 18th centuries. That government was led by kings who claimed absolute sovereignty based on a divine right. This rule was also sustained by the class of nobles, with common people and farmers facing oppression.”
The fundamental idea underlying the philosophy of free democracy is that people can be their own rulers, rather than being ruled by kings, the nobility, or religious figures. In this way, individuals can enjoy freedom in their actions. The government, in turn, has the duty to protect the citizens’ soul, property, and safeguard against foreign encroachments.
Thus, the method of governance in Europe changed, as democracy and secular rule replaced earlier governing styles, continuing to this day.
