Argument Essay: Why Leaders Lie?
Since Genesis, lies have continuously destroyed the integrity of human beings. Lies have cost the lives of people, their reputation, and destroyed the public trust of an entire country. A prominent figure that have lied to countless people are government leaders. According to John Mearsheimer’s book Why Leaders Lie , leaders that belong to a democratic country are most likely to lie its citizens. Regardless, it is vital to a democratic-republic to have its government leaders lie to its citizens. Primarily, the matter should not be who leaders are lying to, but what leaders are lying about. Secondly, leaders must lie so their enemies do not know what they are thinking. Lastly, our leaders should have other valuable characteristics for citizens
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Machiavelli said, “princes who have achieved great things have been those who have given their word lightly, who have known how to trick men with their cunning, and in the end, have overcome those abiding by honest principles.” Citizens become disturbed when they realize politicians lied. However, citizens should not be concerned if they knew what their leaders lied about. In fact, our presidents have innumerably lied to us for the greater good of the nation. A prime example being Abraham Lincoln, who has deemed the nickname “Honest Abe”. According to an article from CNN , Lincoln had lied about his outlook on slavery. In fact, Lincoln did not believe that African Americans deserved equal rights, despite saying that slavery is a direct violation of the saying “all men are created equal.” Why the lie then? Simply because Lincoln understood the necessity of preserving the Union. As civilians shift their focus to their leader’s lies, civilians should also acknowledge that some lies are simply unforgivable. An epitome is the Watergate Scandal. The New York Times reported, President Richard Nixon was involved in the breaking and entering of the Watergate Hotel which ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation. Consequently, this incident led citizens to doubt their government leaders and become overwhelmed with
Machiavelli said, “princes who have achieved great things have been those who have given their word lightly, who have known how to trick men with their cunning, and in the end, have overcome those abiding by honest principles.” Citizens become disturbed when they realize politicians lied. However, citizens should not be concerned if they knew what their leaders lied about. In fact, our presidents have innumerably lied to us for the greater good of the nation. A prime example being Abraham Lincoln, who has deemed the nickname “Honest Abe”. According to an article from CNN , Lincoln had lied about his outlook on slavery. In fact, Lincoln did not believe that African Americans deserved equal rights, despite saying that slavery is a direct violation of the saying “all men are created equal.” Why the lie then? Simply because Lincoln understood the necessity of preserving the Union. As civilians shift their focus to their leader’s lies, civilians should also acknowledge that some lies are simply unforgivable. An epitome is the Watergate Scandal. The New York Times reported, President Richard Nixon was involved in the breaking and entering of the Watergate Hotel which ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation. Consequently, this incident led citizens to doubt their government leaders and become overwhelmed with