Lance the Mandevillian

When anyone has extended success on an international stage, that person is immediately put on a pedestal by the citizens of that country as they give the country a positive image.   When Lance Armstrong became an international sensation, it was different -- it was bigger.  Overcoming cancer and getting back on the bike made Armstrong a story every American could get behind and support.  Lance Armstrong was without a doubt one of the biggest American icons internationally.  Armstrong pursued greatness.  The problem was that the US Postal Service team captain pursued greatness no matter what it took, literally.  Once he finally admitted to blood doping -- the process of injecting oneself with blood to increase their red blood cell count which helps athletic performance -- this January, Lance Armstrong began his free fall that we will watch develop.  In his tell-all interview with Oprah, Lance Armstrong never made it clear that he regretted, well, anything.  Lance Armstrong didn't apologize for his actions because he didn't feel he did anything morally wrong.

How a figure doesn't apologize, to the country that once worshiped them after admitting they cheated, is mind-boggling.  Lance Armstrong made countless Americans and other supporters look foolish for building him up so much.  These fans deserved an apology.  Again, Lance wouldn't apologize because he felt still no moral boundaries were crossed.
This evidence leads to one conclusion.   Whether or not he knows it, Lance Armstrong follows Mandevillian moral philosophies.  Bernard Mandeville proclaimed countless times that what is best for oneself is what is morally right.  Lance Armstrong knew that winning was what was best for him, and he disregarded any institution or rules that would render his path.  The only bad thing Lance Armstrong must think he did was get caught.
This is the modern day proof that Mandevillian principles  don't work in society.  Whether they don't work for anyone or whether one bad apple spoiled the bunch, I can't say.  When Lance Armstrong was put up by the American people as a figurehead for America, his gains were far superior to the American peoples.  When Armstrong tumbled down, he took all of those supporters down with him.  This shows that Mandevillian principles may lead to the success of one, but can turn back on that one and take three people down with it.