Seperation of politics from ethics and religion

Machiavelli was
different from Plato, Aristotle and Medieval thinkers. According to him, the state
was not a means to an end. But the State is an end in itself. It is not a means of
promoting social welfare. The end is the State. It justified the means. Interests of
the state justified everything. Interest of the State justified all wrong actions.
State actions cannot be judged by individuals. There is a double standard for the
State and the people. The state has no ethics. It is non-ethical. The state is not
a moral being. It is not immoral also. But we can say that the State is non-moral.
The non moral State is ruled by a non-moral Prince. He is a despot117. But he is an enlightened despot
Machiavelli believed in Secularism. To Machiavelli, the Church is only a
department or section of the state. The Church is not independent of the State.
The Church has a place within the state. The place of Church is not above or
beside the State. Religion is only a social force which is working within the state.
Religion cannot be above the State. Ethics also is like this. Ethics cannot be
above the State. It is a force working within the State.

Assessment of Machiavelli: According to Machiavelli, “a state must either
expand or expire”. If a State does not expand118, it will expire119 or cease to exist Roman state is the best example. It’s policy of expansion is ideal. It can be seen
that Machiavelli had very strict idea about the State. The State should be
powerful without any principles or ethics. “Machiavellianism” had become a by
word for “unscrupulousness”120. It is about how to preserve a State. He was a
Political Realist and not a Political Philosopher. His concept of State is based on
reality and not on principles. His State theory is about practical politics and not
about principles of politics.

Machiavelli totally separated religion from politics. He stood for a Secular
state. He rejected Papacy and Holy Roman Empire. He thought of a Nation State
with its own population, territory, sovereignty and its own government.
The contribution of Machiavelli to the Science of Politics can be
summarised as follows:-

1. European Chanakya: Machiavelli can be considered as a European
Chanakya. Thought not adept and Brilliant as Chanakya, Machiavelli
could live up to his age and expectations in Europe.

2. Nationalism: Machiavelli can be considered as a symbol of nationalism.
The emerging nationalist feelings of Europe found a theorist in him.

3. Foundation of State: As according to Machiavelli, the foundation of the
State is not divine intervention. But it is embedded In the nature of
people.

4. Secularism: The principles of Machiavelli were targeted towards the
creation of a secular society. He wanted to separate religion from politics.

5. Public and Private Morality: In Machiavelli, there is a distinction
between public and private morality.

6. Negating ‘Natural Law’: Machiavelli refuted the principle of natural law.
According to him, law is the positive code created by a ruler. There is
nothing like natural or eternal or divine law.

7. Concept of Sovereignty: According to Machiavelli, sovereignty is both
internal and external in character. This concept went well with the
concept of nationalism.

8. Historical Method: Machiavelli is known for the introduction of
Historical Methods in the art and science of Politics.
So friend this is all about the Seperation of politics from ethics and religion