Dorothy points out the flaws of Absolute Pacifism to Relena and her friends by using "The Prince".
The Prince by Machiavelli is a real text on how to rule from the Renaissance Era. Though it deals with mostly monarchies (hereditary and not), it does have a few relevant things to say about government and strangely enough GW. I had originally thought of this as an idea for Zechs & Noin to debate about, but then I thought that Noin wouldn't have the heart to rip into Zechs like that.
I find Dorothy to be one of the few people on the show who openly contradicts Relena. I think often she is very sarcastic, but she's not sarcastic and barbed-tongued simply to be mean, she usually has a point of some sort to make. The feeling I get from her is that she feels a sort of amusement at Relena, but often when one feels amused by someone, they also have an underlying contempt, which is why Dorothy is so sharp here. It may also have to do with the fact that Dorothy may not care very much what happens to herself. I always got the feeling that she wanted to go out in a big bang herself.
"Dorothy, would you like to read your paper? I believe you said it was going to be an analysis of the fall of the previous Sank Kingdom by using the text of 'The Prince' by Machiavelli," said Relena, standing before her class.
"With pleasure, Relena-sama."
Noin threw Relena a worried glance, but Relena shook her head imperceptibly. They had discussed it last night. Any suppression of Dorothy's views would only cause charges of hypocrisy and oppression.
Dorothy stepped forward to the podium.
"If Machiavelli had been alive during the fall of the previous Sank Kingdom, he would have had tendered his book 'The Prince' to the King and entreated him to read it thoroughly. Whatever virtues the King of Sank had, he was a poor ruler because he failed to take into consideration that people in general 'are... ungrateful, voluble, dissemblers, anxious to avoid danger and covetous of gain.' They will offer everything when everything is good, but the minute things turn bad, they will turn on you. When there is a perceived advantage, they will 'change masters willingly' despite the fact that often things go from 'bad to worse.' Because he refused to see things as they are, the inevitable occurred."
"His vision of a pacifist kingdom had many flaws. He may have thought it would make his kingdom a shining example and cause others to follow. That was not wise of him 'for among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible.' He should not have expected that `one who is armed will obey willingly one who is unarmed; or that any unarmed man will remain safe among armed servants.' He did not realize that by throwing away his arms, he would invite the other nations and forces to look down on him and see him only as prey. No, even prey kicks and struggles, causing the hunters to treat them with caution, perhaps a little respect. Such was not the case here. It was conquered in a matter of days. Not a city was left that was not under the invader's control. You lose any negotiating space when one throws away all your chips. He could not even negotiate the terms of his surrender and perished because of it."
"You may all say that Sank Kingdom has risen from the dead. You forget that it was freed because some people fought for its revival by the use of arms. To turn your back on the methods that resuscitated it will only invite disaster. As for the people of Sank Kingdom, how should I say this, ' ...it is easy to persuade them of a thing, but difficult to keep them in that persuasion.' I dare say that you could easily have won sympathy from the countrymen about the fate of their motherland but to really persuade them to help you, one must bear arms so they do not turn tail."
"Why, you!" snapped one of the students, a girl from Sank.
"Please sit down," said Relena. "Please continue, Dorothy."
"You may say to yourself, but shouldn't a prince be virtuous, merciful and full of qualities that are viewed as good. That is not the problem. A prince who is merely base, greedy and vile will fail in keeping his kingdom, no matter how violent and unprincipled he is because he will have gained the hatred and contempt of the people. A prince must have the support of the people he is ruling." "Even so, I doubt any of you knows of a government in the history of civilization that was composed completely of saints. There are always backroom deals, scratching backs and decisions that are made not because they are right, but because they are expedient. This is because no matter how virtuous a prince is, he may deal with people who are nowhere near as virtuous. He has to make his way, considering the advice of his ministers, some who may not have the country's best interests at heart. This is why a "prince who wishes to maintain the state is often forced to do evil." He should lie, steal, fight, and cheat anyone who would deprive him of his kingdom, not just because he is ambitious but because that is the only way he can keep his kingdom safe. If he finds a traitor or foe in his midst, should he not be punished? Suppose it's an army of foes? Is it better to cause turmoil by not doing so or reassure the people by acting forcefully."
"Let me ask you this. Is it 'really much more merciful... to avoid the name of cruelty' and allow an entire kingdom go to waste simply because one refuses to be base, to stain one's hands? I disagree vehemently. The King should not have minded 'incurring the charge of cruelty... he will be more merciful than those who, from excess of tenderness, allow disorders to arise, from whence spring bloodshed and rapine; for these as a rule injure the whole community.'"
"The King of Sank, by disarming his populace, made them helpless before the advancing armies. Perhaps he believed that somehow help would arrive from the other nations, this did not happen as the other nations did not see how Sank could ever return the favor. Even the kingdom had been saved with outside intervention, it wouldn't have profited him at all as 'it does not afford you security as you have not helped yourself but been helped like a coward.' By putting yourself at the mercy of others, one may find oneself led to the mercy of the chopping block or in the best case scenario, led out to pasture. Advising against mercenary troops and auxiliaries from other countries, Machiavelli advises that 'only those defences are good certain and durable, which depend on yourself along and your own ability.'"
Relena felt her face growing redder and redder. Why do I feel ashamed, she thought.
"For a time, things went well. The world had no designs on Sank Kingdom. The King was even revered for his virtue. But when the world became a different place, he was ruined because he had based 'himself entirely on fortune' and fortune turned against him. He did not have the tools to deal with this change and had made no preparations. And that is why Sank fell. Not simply because outside forces were overwhelming but because the King did not do his primary duty and protect his kingdom."
"In conclusion, I beg that Relena-sama learn from her forefathers and not follow the same path, one that history has shown to full of the gravest errors." With that, Dorothy curtsied.
Relena's face grew pale and her knuckles white at this deconstruction of her parents' fall. She said, "Thank you for your reading, Dorothy. You may now sit down."
Dorothy looked at her, thinking, If it merely takes some words to shake your resolve, then this is truly a glass kingdom. She involuntarily stepped down hard with her right heel as if to smash a glass and ground the bits into the ground.
The End
(:./mk/glass)
