Italian political thinker Niccolò Machiavelli introduced an important idea in political philosophy called the double standard of morality. He lived during the Renaissance period and is known for his famous book The Prince, written in 1513. Machiavelli argued that political leaders, like kings or rulers, should follow a different set of moral rules from ordinary citizens. He believed that in politics, what matters most is the outcome, not the ruler’s personal values or good intentions. This idea created a clear difference between public morality, which guides rulers, and private morality, which applies to everyday people. Niccolo Machiavelli’s dual standard of morality concept is especially visible in chapters such as :
- Chapter XV- In this chapter, Machiavelli distinguished between the real behaviour of rulers and what people think rulers should be like.
- Chapter XVII- In chapter XVII, he highlighted an important quote, A ruler must be like both a brave lion and a clever fox, and that the ends justify the means.
What is Morality?
Morality refers to the principles or beliefs that define what is considered right or wrong. It helps guide how people behave in daily life. These rules often come from:
- Religion
- Culture
- Family teachings
- Personal values
Most people believe that telling the truth, treating others with respect, being fair, and avoiding harm are all part of good moral behavior.
But Machiavelli challenged the idea that these same rules should apply to political leaders. He asked: Can rulers afford to be moral when the survival of the state is at risk?
Niccolo Machiavelli view on morality
The concept of dual morality refers to the idea that the standards of morality for ordinary people differ from those for rulers or political leaders. This concept is most famously associated with Niccolò Machiavelli, a political thinker from Renaissance Italy, who laid down the foundations of modern political realism.
1. Morality for the People
In personal life, people are expected to follow religious and ethical values such as:
- Speaking the truth
- Respecting others’ rights
- Avoiding lying, stealing, spying, or conspiracy
- Upholding justice, honesty, and compassion
For the common citizen, morality is guided by principles and conscience. A person may even sacrifice their life for truth or values.
2. Morality for the Prince (Ruler)
Machiavelli made a sharp distinction between private morality and the public morality of rulers. He believed that:
- A ruler’s main responsibility is to protect the state and maintain its stability.
- National interest comes before personal morality.
- A ruler can use force, deception, spying, and manipulation if it helps in maintaining power or defending the state.
- The ruler’s actions must be judged not by religious or ethical standards, but by political outcomes.
In his words: “In politics, the ends justify the means.”
This means that any action, even if morally questionable, is acceptable if it leads to a political good, such as preserving the state or protecting its citizens.
Separation of Public and Private Morality
Machiavelli emphasized that a good ruler must appear moral, kind, just, and honest—but be ready to act immorally when necessary. According to him:
- A prince is not expected to follow the same moral standards as ordinary citizens.
- He must be both a lion (strong) and a fox (clever).
- The ruler must be flexible—compassionate when possible, but ruthless when needed.
This idea was later criticized by philosophers like Leo Strauss, who called Machiavelli a “teacher of evil.” But many political theorists agree that his realism reflected the true nature of power politics.
Why did Machiavelli use a dual standard of morality?
Machiavelli used the idea of a dual standard of morality because he believed that the needs of political leadership are different from the needs of ordinary life. His goal was to give rulers practical advice on how to gain, maintain, and strengthen power, not just how to be morally good. Here is why he supported two sets of moral rules- one for citizens and another for rulers:
1. Politics Is a Separate Field- Machiavelli said that politics should be treated as a special field, just like war or medicine. In politics, results matter more than good intentions. A ruler’s success is judged by how well he maintains order, unity, and power, not by how “good” he is. This was a new idea at that time, because earlier thinkers believed rulers should always follow religion and ethics.
2. Human Nature Is Selfish- Machiavelli had a realistic (some say negative) view of people. He believed:
- Most people are selfish and only act good when it benefits them.
- They change quickly and can’t always be trusted.
Because of this, a prince can’t afford to be too kind or trusting. He must be ready to use force, trickery, and even fear — if it helps maintain control and prevent chaos.
3. The Ends Justify the Means
This is the most famous idea linked to Machiavelli. “The ends justify the means.” It means that if your goal is good, then the way you achieve it (even if it’s bad) can be acceptable. Example: If a prince lies to stop a war or kills one man to save thousands, Machiavelli would see that as justified. This doesn’t mean cruelty is encouraged for no reason; it should always serve a political purpose.
4. Virtù vs Fortuna
Machiavelli explained that a good ruler needs:
- Virtù – Skill, courage, intelligence, and strength of character.
- Fortuna – Luck or chance.
A wise ruler doesn’t just wait for luck — he uses virtù to take bold decisions and adapt to changing situations. Sometimes this includes using unethical methods to survive and succeed.
5. Duty of a Prince: Protect the State
Above all, Machiavelli said, the main responsibility of a prince is to protect the state and ensure its stability. This includes:
- Defending against foreign threats
- Controlling internal enemies or rebels
- Keeping law and order.
Ensuring the safety and survival of citizens.
If doing this means using violence, lying, or manipulation, the prince must be ready. In Machiavelli’s view, sacrificing morality is better than losing the state.
Criticism of Machiavelli on the Dual standard of morality
Niccolò Machiavelli is often regarded as the father of modern political realism. His bold claim that “the ends justify the means” made him a controversial figure in political philosophy. While his insights on power, leadership, and statecraft remain influential, his ideas have also been widely criticized for promoting immorality, manipulation, and even tyranny.
Let’s look at the major criticisms of Machiavelli’s ideas:
1️⃣ Justification of Immorality
Machiavelli’s principle that any action is acceptable if it serves the state’s interest has drawn sharp criticism. Critics argue that:
- This mindset can justify unethical actions like lying, betrayal, violence, and manipulation.
- It ignores moral values such as honesty, compassion, and fairness.
- It could lead to a morally bankrupt political system, where ends always outweigh the means.
By promoting power above ethics, Machiavelli is seen as endorsing a dangerous precedent.
2️⃣ Erosion of Public Trust
When rulers are not held to the same moral standards as ordinary citizens, it creates a gap between the government and the people.
- Citizens may feel betrayed or manipulated.
- Public trust in leadership declines when leaders are seen as deceitful or self-serving.
- This could lead to cynicism, apathy, and disillusionment with the democratic process.
A strong society requires moral leadership, not just effective statecraft.
3️⃣ Potential for Tyranny
Machiavelli’s separation of politics from morality can be interpreted as a license for authoritarian behavior.
- A ruler focused only on power may become oppressive.
- Ethical concerns are ignored in favor of state security, which can justify human rights violations.
- Critics fear this paves the way for tyranny in the name of national interest.
Without moral checks, political power can easily be abused.
4️⃣ Neglect of Higher Moral Purpose
Critics argue that Machiavelli’s approach is too narrow, focusing only on power and control.
- Politics should also serve justice, equality, and the common good.
- A ruler’s duty isn’t just to maintain authority, but also to uplift the lives of citizens.
- A truly successful political system must be based on ethical principles, not just strategies for dominance.
This criticism sees Machiavelli as overlooking the moral responsibilities of leadership.
5️⃣ Lack of Consistency
Although Machiavelli promotes a dual morality, one for rulers, another for citizens, he also stresses the importance of appearances.
- A prince must appear honest and virtuous in public, even while being ruthless in private.
- This creates a contradiction: Is the ruler moral or not?
- It also puts leaders in a constant state of deception, undermining any real moral commitment.
This inconsistency weakens the very foundation of his political philosophy.