Homework #4

Leadership methods will always vary depending on the circumstances. In most situations a leader can be effective while remaining ethically good, however the most efficient leaders are able to be “flexible” with their ethical values.

When in the position of a leader, he or she is no longer representing his own feelings/morals but acting as a role model and representative of the entire group. Therefore the actions that the leader decides to take must be actions that provide maximum benefit for the group as a whole. Necessary evils must be committed for greater good. Though satisfying all the people would be most ideal, in some cases sacrifices must be made to provide the best possible alternative.

As we had discussed Machiavelli earlier in class, his killing of the past tyrant gave him a leg up in popularity and satisfied the people. Though it may have been wrong to use him as a scapegoat, the people of Italy were happy from this outcome.

An example of exercising necessary evil is the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. This example has probably been thoroughly exhausted already. During WWII two bombs were dropped on Japan to end the war. However millions of people were wiped dead immediately and radiation left from the bombs affected generations of Japanese as well.

Though the mass murder from this bombing was clearly evil, it saved millions of lives that would have been lost had the war continued to drag on beyond that.

The rest of the world may look at this event with more disdain. However, I think that this was the best possible choice of action for Americans. It saved many American lives and ended the war efficiently.