Assessing Bingu on a Machiavellian Scale

Late Bingu Wa Muthalika

The former Head of state, the late Bingu wa Muntharika was described as being autocratic by a great deal of personnel during his reign. The analysis of his evaluaters was based on varying reasons from his intolerant of criticism to his luxurious livity under the expense of tax payers money and so on and so foth. However, this article purports to assess Bingu on a Machiavellian scale with great emphasis on Niccholo Machiavelli's The Prince.
To start with, Machiavelli argues that a ruler has to reject classical model of politics as being moral, but shud believe that politics is confined strictly to the methods of acquiring and maintaing power.  This was evident in Bingu's reign and points to supplement this claim include the handpicking of his bro, Peter, as the heir to the DPP dynasty and the firing of those who opposed the move. In these cases, Bingu ushered in the sense of archaic tyranny to the new era reminding us of fierce african political figures such as Idi Amin, Gadaffi and DR Banda.
In addition, Machiavelli argues that for a ruler to reach his highest goals he will not always find it rational to be moral. Bingu was not always moral also as seen by his stubborn nature by going against the utility decision to expel the British High Commissioner. By this act, he undermined the democratic nature that the Republic of Malawi embraces. Further, the purchase of the presidential jet at an absurd price when public hospitals lacked medicine was an immoral crime committed by the former head of state. Moreover, who wud forget the extravagant revenue his wife received monthly for doing charity work? Is charity work not voluntary? And do we get paid if we are volunteering? No wonder they put up that 'unmalawian' magnficent mansion at Ndata.
Besides, Machiavelli argues that when one is in power he must try to weaken those who were in power before. Did we not see Bingu diminish Bakili Muluzi's authority? I bet we all remember his famous quote when he made that u-turn against Bakili and the UDF in general, 'wakukaliyala samaimba belu.' I wud say nobody to this date has ever applied this princely virtue awesomely than the counterfeit Ngwazi himself. Bravo!!!
Furthermore, Machiavelli asserts that a ruler must reconcile himself to the fact that he will often be necessitated to act contrary to the truth, charity, humanity and religion if he wishes to maintain his goverment. Several arrests that Bingu made almost 2 months before his 'shocking' death showcase his inhumane nature as there was not valid reasons to have the so-called offenders locked behind dirty bars. Moreover, his defiance on the resolutions made at the PAC conference and the attempts he made to have the meeting cancelled suggest that he had no problem acting contrary to religion.
Last, but not the least, Machiavelli argues that a ruler has to know which animals to imitate. Bingu's great qualities were those of a very savage lion and a very tricky fox, as a result of which he was feared though not respected by everybody. His fearless nature prompted him to act like an alpha male in the cirles of Malawian politics and he went on labelling all those who were in contrast to his style of rulling as being stupid. The donors, the opposition, civil society leaders, university lecturers etc all fell victims of this label... STUPID!!!!!
Nevertheless, Bingu acted contrary to Machiavell's virtue that a ruler has to always take the greatest care to avoid everything that makes him hated. He started serving his own selfish interests and neglected the society in general. He lost his popularity eventually and when he died people celebrated his death more than they mourned him. Even those who sorrounded him when he was at peak disserted him barely hours of his passing. 

Therefore, based on the presented points, I wud argue that Bingu deserves a distinction on the machiavellian scale. His style of leadership has to be given respect and honour in the world of the princely virtues argued for by Niccholo Machiavelli. However, the Republic of Malawi is a democratic state that has its own rules to help govern the nation. The constitution encloses all the guidelines and a breach to any of the laws is deemed as a violation of the constitution. A good number of Machiavellian principles lie in contrast to Malawi's constitution and this makes the late president unpopular to this date as the citizens suffered a lot from his dictatorial rule. Most of us 'kukhululuka ndiye tinakhululuka koma mabala ndi omwe akupweteka.'
Despite ALL, Rest in Everlastin Peace.