Defining Statesmanship
When assigned the task of defining statesmanship, one may attempt to use Occam's razor. All things being equal, the simplest solution is usually the best one. According to the Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science, the definition of statesmen simply states "see politician". This leads to two conclusions: First, Occam's razor is not always correct. Secondly, Blackwell's accuracy is questionable, at best. Statesmanship is said to be a “tricky, elusive matter-hard to come by, hard to measure, and hard to define or describe.” Many scholars agree that “because statesmanship is a difficult concept to understand, a homogeneous definition does not exist”.
There are two trains of thought regarding statesmanship; classical …show more content…
At the age of 20, Benjamin Franklin compiled a list of twelve virtues in pursuit of a “bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.” Compiled from classical works, Christian teachings and Biblical revelations, he determined that temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility and chastity were the virtues one required. He later added his thirteenth virtue, humility, at the suggestion of a friend who informed him that he was considered too …show more content…
Following World War Two, fearing the spread of Communism, Truman “abandoned isolationism, engaging American power outside the Western Hemisphere during peacetime to protect vital interests, and he committed the United States to the defense of freedom abroad…” In a manner that can only be seen as renascent of the Founders or Lincoln, Truman understood the evils of Communism and that they were in direct conflict with political principals of the United States. Furthermore, that it was up to the "greatest government in the world” to protect “the dignity of the individual and his rights” who are “resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures” anywhere in the
When assigned the task of defining statesmanship, one may attempt to use Occam's razor. All things being equal, the simplest solution is usually the best one. According to the Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science, the definition of statesmen simply states "see politician". This leads to two conclusions: First, Occam's razor is not always correct. Secondly, Blackwell's accuracy is questionable, at best. Statesmanship is said to be a “tricky, elusive matter-hard to come by, hard to measure, and hard to define or describe.” Many scholars agree that “because statesmanship is a difficult concept to understand, a homogeneous definition does not exist”.
There are two trains of thought regarding statesmanship; classical …show more content…
At the age of 20, Benjamin Franklin compiled a list of twelve virtues in pursuit of a “bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.” Compiled from classical works, Christian teachings and Biblical revelations, he determined that temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility and chastity were the virtues one required. He later added his thirteenth virtue, humility, at the suggestion of a friend who informed him that he was considered too …show more content…
Following World War Two, fearing the spread of Communism, Truman “abandoned isolationism, engaging American power outside the Western Hemisphere during peacetime to protect vital interests, and he committed the United States to the defense of freedom abroad…” In a manner that can only be seen as renascent of the Founders or Lincoln, Truman understood the evils of Communism and that they were in direct conflict with political principals of the United States. Furthermore, that it was up to the "greatest government in the world” to protect “the dignity of the individual and his rights” who are “resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures” anywhere in the