Machiavelli Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper
Setting: This debate between Socrates and Machiavelli takes place on a sunny afternoon on
Baltimore s Inner Harbor. Both debaters are offering advice to this year s presidential candidates,
Al Gore and George W. Bush. The debate is occurring outdoors and is moderated by Jimmy
Fallon of Saturday Night Live. Three registered voters, with strong views on subjects pertinent to
themselves, are primed with questions they want answered. The debate is about to get underway
as Jimmy is starting to go over the ground rules for each debater.
Jimmy: Each of you dead guys has two minutes to give your answer. Members of the audience
who have already been selected have certain questions for you on campaign topics. Each person
stating a question will have his or her microphone turned off after he or she speaks. Keep in
mind that you are merely stating your case or point of view, you are NOT arguing with your
opponent. Without any further ado, let s begin. The first question asked is from David Stauffer
and it is directed towards you Socrates. Mr. Stauffer, will you please state your question?
Dave S. Good afternoon to you, Jimmy. I watch you every Saturday and I ve got to say you re
hilarious. Anyway Socrates, I have a question on the subject of education. I myself am an
educator in the private school system of this depressing state. I am wondering what your stance
is on the voucher system?
Socrates: That is a good question. I believe wholeheartedly in the voucher system. Every child
should be entitled to a first rate education. Our primary goal; however, should be to reform
public schools across this nation. Their standards are low and school systems across this nation
are cheating kids out of a first rate education. It is time that we as a nation come to raise the
standards of our public schools. I praise Governor Bush highly for his stance on making schools,
and therefore education, more equal for all involved. However, one must keep in mind that
formal knowledge doesn t necessarily make one wise.
Jimmy: Umm, well said Soc. On to you Machiavelli. Present your side of this argument?
Mach: Yes. Well, Mr. Stauffer, unlike my opponent, I am firmly against the voucher system. If
parents cannot afford a good education for their children then that is their problem. I feel as
though public schools in this country are adequate enough. There cannot be too many educated
people, they are a threat to stability. Too many members of the intelligentsia, I believe, will
prove fatal for the country. Bush s plan of equalizing schools sickens me. I believe he should
avoid doing that at any cost.
Jimmy: Yeah, sure whatever you say. Up next is Terri Archibald with a question about abortion.
The question is addressed to you, Machiavelli. Mrs. Terri Archilbald, will you please state your
question?
Mrs. Archilbald, a middle-aged, overweight Caucasian woman steps to the forefront.
Arch: Mr. Machiavelli, I d like to know your stance on the ever-touchy issue of abortion. Do you
think it should be outlawed?
Mach: Well, Terri, while I do not believe you ll ever be faced with the issue personally, I do not
believe it should be outlawed. In fact, I am a strong supporter of abortion. In looking at the facts,
the procedure actually has benefits. Abortion helps to keep an already high population in check.
This leads to reduced competition in the work force and in the pool of students applying to
college. A moderately sized population is critical to maintaining the order of the state. I also feel
as though couples with two children, with others on the way, should seriously consider abortion
as an alternative. I appreciate the fact that Al Gore is pro-choice, but he should toughen his
position.
Jimmy: Okay Soc, will you please give your position?
Soc: Will you please call me by my name, Jimmy? My opinion on this matter differs with that of
Machiavelli. I am pro-life all the way. Life is a sacred gift of God and should be cherished and
respected. Personally, I tend to think of abortion as spitting in the face of God. Human life is
precious and should be preserved at all costs. Abortion should be outlawed, as it is nothing but
murder. In regards to this subject I must applaud Gov. Bush for his pro-life stance. Al Gore, who
supports Roe v. Wade, should consider altering his stance.
Jimmy: Thank you Socrates. Our final question comes from John Rocker, who some of you may
know as the controversial closer for the Atlanta Braves. This question is addressed to you,
Machiavelli. Mr. Rocker, you re no No-mar, but go ahead and ask your question.
Rocker: That s right Jimmy; I m better than that guy. I even scored over 1200 on my S.A.T. s.
Anyway, this has to do with the size of the military. Machiavelli, what are your thoughts on the
current size of the armed forces of this nation? I ask because I might be traded soon, and if so, I
ll need a job.
Mach: Now, here s a good question. I feel as though the armed forces of this nation need to be
built up. As the worlds only remaining superpower, I believe we need to be ready to keep less
powerful countries in line and show our muscle. A strong army is crucial to maintaining our
nation s security from threats both at home or abroad. A ruler of any nation must be on guard to
protect his country from any type of threat. The easiest way to do this is through preparedness
and force. Since the candidate s have very similar stances on this issue, my only advice to them
is to go ahead and strengthen the military.
Rock: See, that s what I m talking about. There s a real man with some testicular fortitude.
Jimmy: Will someone please turn that idiot s mic off? Okay Socrates, you re up.
Soc: The size of our military should be reduced, or maintained at its current size. We only need
the smallest number of soldiers necessary to maintain peace. Peace should be our primary
objective. We cannot promote peace through building up arms and showing our muscle to the
rest of the world. I think both candidates should reduce the size of both the military and violent
arms.
Jimmy: Well what do you know? We re all out of time. Thank you both Socrates and
Machiavelli for coming out today. I m sure the voters of the nation appreciate it. To all of you
viewers at home, please tune in every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. to NBC s Saturday Night Live.
This week s guest is Scott Moore. It ll be a good show, watch it!
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