Political Virtues

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the concept of political virtues. It compares the meaning of political virtue in today's world, particularly in American politics, with the traits or qualities that a politician or statesman was expected to possess in the times of Aristotle or John Mill. It concludes by suggesting why different traits are needed in today's political world, compared to those that were necessary in the past.

From the Paper:

"Political virtues are traits or qualities that a politician or statesman is expected to possess in order to do his job well. These virtues have changed from the times of Aristotle and with every subsequent theorist they expanded to encompass various attributes. Mill, Locke, and Machiavelli are some well-known names in this connection (MacNeil, 1970). However since the American Revolution, things have changed somewhat for political scene in the United States (Ehrenhalt, 1991). People are no longer looking for a person who would rule like Machiavelli's prince since American is the biggest democracy and at the same time, they are not looking for a simpleton with only a good moral character and no spine."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Douglass Adair, "A Note on Certain of Hamilton's Pseudonyms" in Fame and the Founding Fathers (Indianapolis: Liberty Press, 1998)
• Glen Thurow, "Presidential Character" in Martin Medhurst, ed. Beyond the Rhetorical Presidency (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 1996)
• Alan Ehrenhalt, The United States of Ambition: Politicians, Power, and the Pursuit of Office (New York: Times Books and Random House, 1991).
• Harry McPherson, A Political Education: A Washington Memoir (Boston: Little, Brown, 1972).
• Neil MacNeil, Dirksen: Portrait of a Public Man (New York and Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1970).

More papers on Political Virtues:

• Persuasive Essay # 128521 : "Political Ethics"
• Comparison Essay # 59352 : "Political Theories"
• Comparison Essay # 67545 : "The Political Philosophies of Hobbes and Locke"

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