The popularity and success of a public figure often depends on the image he or she projects. Therefore, for many years politicians have been concerned with impressions they produce on the general public. In The Prince, Machiavelli suggests that “[i]t is not necessary … for a prince to have all of the qualities …, but it is certainly necessary that he appear to have them” (C, p. 237). He explains his position by saying that “[e]veryone sees what you appear to be, few touch what you are; and those few do not dare oppose the opinions of the many” (C, p. 237). For that reason, a good politician and leader needs to gain trust and convince the majority of ordinary people of the truth of his words. And then people in their turn will always support him, no matter what insiders think.
According to the recent article “First Round of Voting Ousts Islamists from Egypt’s Parliament” by Robert F. Worth, the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak tries to create an image of a democratic and fair leader. However, in the recent elections in the Egypt’s parliament the president’s National Democratic Party won all seats living Islamist opposition, and the Brotherhood party in particular, without any representation in the government. The outcome of these elections caused protests and demonstrations on the streets of Cairo. Following Machiavelli’s advice, Hosni Mubarak went too far in creating his image; and instead of becoming more popular with his people, the president evoked suspicions of voting fraud. So, people no longer believe in the image created by their leader. On the contrary, according to Hisham Kassem, a newspaper publisher and human rights advocate, they advise Mr. Mubarak to “[a]t least get creative in how you rig the elections”, because “[n]othing can stun [them] now” (Worth, 2010).
