Hardball: How Politics is Told by One Who Knows the Game by Christopher Matthews compares politics to a game played by individuals seeking to gain and maintain power. Matthews defines hardball as “clean, aggressive Machiavellian politics.” It is the discipline of attaining and holding power, useful to any profession or business, but practiced most openly and unapologetically in the world of public affairs” (13). Matthews offers maxims to explain the tactics and truths that improve a person's position in the political game. These maxims include “It is better to receive than to give,” “Keep your enemies before you,” and “Hang a lantern on your trouble.” These three maxims have proven to bring success to those who have used this tactic. The game of hardball is about maintaining a good reputation among your peers and the public. A successful politician can build alliances. It is definitely impossible for someone to reach the top without any help. Instead of getting help, a person could make a mistake by “limiting their horizons to missions they can accomplish alone” (15). These people end up losing the game. Matthews describes one way to forge an alliance in the maxim “It is better to receive than to give.” While confidence is a good thing, too much pride can spell disaster. One way to avoid appearing overconfident is to ask for help. During the 1978 general election, Jimmy Carter sought help from those who had lost on election night. This is wise, because they were looking for work and wanted to be needed. Votes and alliances can be made simply through a sense of inclusion in the process. A politician who asks for help "offers a chance to join the political action, to be part of its success"... middle of paper ...... the duels won the game and have came to power. Basically, these people cared about what was deserved for the good of the people. Unfortunately, politics often has a negative view due to its association with tyranny and abuse of power. Hardball: How Politics is Played by One Who Knows the Game does little to mitigate this view due to its unforgiving tone. Ambition, often perceived negatively, is an essential asset for success for those who wish to make a name for themselves. Hopefully one day people won't be so cynical about politics. The real goal of politics is to generate leaders in government who will make decisions based on the opinions of the people in the interest of the people. Works Cited Matthews, Christopher. Hardball: How Politics is Played as told by someone who knows the gameNew York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1988. Print.

Essay / Hardball: How Politics is Told by One Who Knows the Game by Christopher Matthews compares politics to a game played by individuals seeking to gain and maintain power. Matthews defines hardball as “clean, aggressive Machiavellian politics.” It is the discipline of attaining and holding power, useful to any profession or business, but practiced most openly and unapologetically in the world of public affairs” (13). Matthews offers maxims to explain the tactics and truths that improve a person's position in the political game. These maxims include “It is better to receive than to give,” “Keep your enemies before you,” and “Hang a lantern on your trouble.” These three maxims have proven to bring success to those who have used this tactic. The game of hardball is about maintaining a good reputation among your peers and the public. A successful politician can build alliances. It is definitely impossible for someone to reach the top without any help. Instead of getting help, a person could make a mistake by “limiting their horizons to missions they can accomplish alone” (15). These people end up losing the game. Matthews describes one way to forge an alliance in the maxim “It is better to receive than to give.” While confidence is a good thing, too much pride can spell disaster. One way to avoid appearing overconfident is to ask for help. During the 1978 general election, Jimmy Carter sought help from those who had lost on election night. This is wise, because they were looking for work and wanted to be needed. Votes and alliances can be made simply through a sense of inclusion in the process. A politician who asks for help "offers a chance to join the political action, to be part of its success"... middle of paper ...... the duels won the game and have came to power. Basically, these people cared about what was deserved for the good of the people. Unfortunately, politics often has a negative view due to its association with tyranny and abuse of power. Hardball: How Politics is Played by One Who Knows the Game does little to mitigate this view due to its unforgiving tone. Ambition, often perceived negatively, is an essential asset for success for those who wish to make a name for themselves. Hopefully one day people won't be so cynical about politics. The real goal of politics is to generate leaders in government who will make decisions based on the opinions of the people in the interest of the people. Works Cited Matthews, Christopher. Hardball: How Politics is Played as told by someone who knows the gameNew York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1988. Print.

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