Take Lessons from Kautilya (350-275 BC) and Machiavelli (1469- 1527AD)

Editorial

Ethiopia is in a critical situation. Saving the country at any cost is becoming the last choice. The fate of reprieving of the country is in the hands of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed even though he has faced years loaned mal politics of Ethiopia. I hope that Abiy is working to save this country. If so, it is time to hear the advice of Kautila and Machiavelli. Kutalia, who was ancient Indain Political Scientist and Economist, in his book “Arthashastra( Science of Political Economy), puts advice for Rajarshi( The King). Similarly, Machiavelli, who was Political Philosopher of Italy at the end of Medieval Age, in his book “The Prince”, puts advice for the king. Indeed, this two scholars made politics empirical and set their contribution for the coming of secured great India and Italy. Their ideas have similarities and it is accepted when the state is endanger. Accordingly, it is time to hear their ideas to save our country, Ethiopia. Their advice for the King, can apply to our Prime Minster Abiy Ahmmed, too. I try to articulate their real healer advices and connect with Abiy’s administration as the followings:

1. The leader takes advice from elders and wises: I know that the Prime Minster has advisers in different areas but sometimes I have seen that he has become out of self- control. He has spoken unnecessary issues which either gives utopian hope or upset the peoples. In addition to this, even it is not usual, he has missed which action takes priority and he tries to kill his effort on cases which is not timing. I hope to see that skill, profession, and knowledge based wise advisers around the Prime Minster who tell not what makes him happy but what makes him strong and wise.
2. The leader should keep his eyes open through spies and should have spies in every corner: I know that Abiy is coming to power within the unchanged institutions. In these institutions, TPLF paved spies are found. This need radical shift. TPLF, is still, using it’s spy to take political and military advantage over Abiy. Abiy should do all endeavors to cultivate many skilled spies and be fast to sow them in every parts of the country.
3. The leader should avoid day dreaming and falsehood; further, he should be careful to avoid flatterers: This strong guy, Abiy Ahmmed needs to control and count every works and achievements of his cabinets and ministers. If he cannot do this, all things will be day dreaming and falsehood to him.
4. Ensures people’s security and welfare: For the last three years, the security and the welfare of the people are getting more worse. In different parts of the country, properties and lives of the people have been taken by different rebellion groups. Because of this, few peoples are giving up on Abiy’ administration. I think Abiy must clear the fact of why he cannot give guarantee for people’s security and welfare. He should explain how the rebellion groups and their supporters in government wing work together. Thereafter, people will give support for Abiy and be part of securing themselves.
5. Do not care about morality: In fact Ethiopia has faced heathen enemies: The enemies which are immoral, unethical, and atheist. So, for such enemies being moral and give the justification on right and wrong actions is foolishness. Abiy must be opportunitiest. He must oppose evil by evil. He must be ready to sin, immoral, and dishonest for the sake of Ethiopia.
6. Ensure economic prosperity: Ethiopia is getting down- hell in economy. Our living is getting pain because of the economical crisis of the country. Even though it is hard to control the economy crisis which is caused by imperialists, it is possible to control the crisis which is caused by agents. Abiy must supervise economical institution and should punish those agents who are actively engaged in the making of conspired economy.
7. A leader must realize the importance a strong army for the sake of State: As history tells that Ethiopia has passed in different wars. Enemies from internal and external could not win Ethiopia in the battle fields because of the strength of Ethiopians to fend enemy. But for the past 27 years, TPLF, who ruled the country, had weaken the military wings for securing power and to prevent the coup from the military. Now a days, Abiy is trying to construct huge military which is advanced in technology. However few members of the military wing lack loyalties, feeling of patriotism, and readiness for mission. Accordingly, like military technology, Abiy should work on minds of military members. Having strong military in man-power and technology determines the country’s survival. Ethiopia cannot survive without a powerful army. In addition to this patriotic institutions, like “Fano”, should strengthen in logistic since it’s aim is protecting the state.
8. Exploiting religious feelings of the people: As Marx said, sometimes religion can be the opium of the people.

By wishing the here-after life, people may accept miseries and injustice in the state but after all if the injustice and misery cause the destruction of state, no home, no place and no doctrine described on earth to enjoy religion.

Accordingly, the leader have to tell that saving the state means saving religion, institutions of religions, and wishing off sin to get in the heaven. Through religion figures, the leader, should preach that death for saving state implies the holy action. The Abiy’s administration should pass messages to all religion fellows to save the state. 9. Be skeptical: the today friend may be your enemy at tomorrow; the today enemy may be your friend at tomorrow. In short, no permanent enemy and friend. The leader look after his friends. Even, it is good to plant spies at their back. This has good advice for Abiy. He should take care of his cabinets and intimates. They may serve as agent of enemy and take the key secret of the country from leader to enemy. Moreover, they may lead coup and hire assassin to avoid the leader. 10. The leader should have the quality of fox in diplomatic matters. A fox is wise. It is amazing nature to protect enemy by fart and digging many get of hole to escape the foe. Yes, the Abiy’s administration needs to follow wise diplomacy. It is good to do diplomacy with Western to minimize their role of helping terrorists; and similarly it is also useful to make diplomacy with ant-Western countries to get technological, economical, and military help.

Thank you for sharing this idea with me!!!