Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Triin Ignaov
ANALYSIS OF POWER, COMPETITION AND STRATEGIES:
CASE OF MACHIAVELLI, THE PRINCE
Research in Strategic Management
Tallinn 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.......................................................................................................................3
1.
1.1.2.
Machiavellis works........................................................................................5
1.1.3.
1.2.
2.
3.
4.
1.2.1.
1.2.2.
1.2.3.
1.2.4.
1.2.5.
1.2.6.
2.2.
Principles of leadership.....................................................................................18
3.2.
Discussion................................................................................................................21
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................22
References.......................................................................................................................23
INTRODUCTION
Present research is an analysis of power, competition and strategies. It is based on
Italian philosopher and writer Niccol Machiavelli treatise The Prince, strategies and
principles discussed in this book.
To understand Machiavellis ideas it is essential to understand the society where
he lived and worked. Therefore the first part of this paper gives an overview of
Machiavellis life, work and artwork. After that conclusion and overview of
Machiavellis main principles is provided.
Second part of this research is dedicated to political power. Main objective is to
seek how Machiavellis strategies have become alive in politics over the years and even
nowadays, how they can be advanteous to politicians and how they have been abused.
Third section dicusses business management. This part concentrates on different
ideas of Machiavelli that can be used in management of companies, leadership
questions and power sharing. Many practical advice is give in this part for leaders in
business environment.
Writing this research I have used different sources, starting from Machiavellis
treatise The Prince itself to different interpretations of this book by other writers.
Importance of this research is analysis of power, how it must be handled and
used to maximize the benefit for majority of parties involved. Machiavellis principles
can be used in politics as well as in business management. Although treatise The Prince
was written about 500 years ago, it still contains many useful and practical examples of
maintaining the power. I believe that these ideas are useful for everybody, especially for
those who deal with leadership in all walks of life.
1.1.
Niccol Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher and writer based in Florence, Italy
during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He
was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine
Republic. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, poetry, and some of the most wellknown personal correspondence in the Italian language. (Wikipedia 2010)
and
control.
Political-military
alliances
continually
changed,
featuring condottiere who changed sides without warning, and short lived governments
rising and falling.
His position in the regime of Florence as Secretary to the Second Chancery of
the Republic of Florence lasted from 1498 to 1512. He was in a diplomatic council
responsible for negotiation and military affairs, carrying out, between 1499 and 1512,
several diplomatic missions, to the court of Louis XII in France; to that of Ferdinand
II of Aragn, in Spain; in Germany; and to the Papacy in Rome, in the Italian states.
Moreover, from 1502 to 1503, he witnessed the effective state-building methods
of Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI, who was then enlarging his central
Italian territories. Between 1503 and 1506, Machiavelli was responsible for the
Florentine militia, including the Citys defense. He distrusted mercenaries (a distrust he
explained in his official reports, and then later in his theoretical works), preferring a
politically invested citizen-militia a philosophy that bore fruit.
Machiavelli was deprived of office in 1512 by the Medici, and, in 1513, was
accused of conspiracy, and arrested and imprisoned for a time. Despite torture, he
denied involvement and was released; then, retiring to his estate, at Sant'Andrea in
Percussina, near Florence, he wrote the political treatises that earned his intellectual
place in the development of political philosophy and political conduct. After a time
Machiavelli began to participate in intellectual groups in Florence and wrote several
plays that were both popular and widely known in his lifetime. Still politics remained
his main passion.
Machiavelli died on 21st of June 1527. He was buried at the Church of Santa
Croce in Florence, Italy. (Wikipedia 2010)
dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning how to consider
politics and ethics.
The book concentrates on the possibility of a "new prince", rather than the more
traditional subject of an hereditary prince. To retain power, the hereditary prince must
carefully maintain the socio-political institutions to which the people are accustomed;
whereas a new prince has the more difficult task in ruling, since he must first stabilize
his new-found power in order to build an enduring political structure. That requires the
prince being concerned with reputation but also being willing to act immorally. As a
political scientist, Machiavelli emphasises the occasional need for the methodical
exercise of brute force, deceit, and so on.
Although it is relatively short, the treatise is the most remembered of his works
and the one most responsible for bringing word Machiavellian into wide usage as
a pejorative term describing someone who aims to deceive and manipulate others for
personal advantage. It even contributed to the modern negative connotations of the
words "politics" and "politician" in western countries. In terms of subject matter it
overlaps with the much longer book Discourses on Livy, which was written a few years
later. In its use of examples who were politically active Italians who perpetrated
criminal deeds for politics, another lesser-known work by Machiavelli which The
Prince has been compared to is the Life of Castruccio Castracani. (Wikipedia 2010)
authors saw him as Italian and Catholic". In fact, he was apparently influencing both
Catholic and Protestant kings.
During the first generations after Machiavelli, his main influence was upon
princes. One of the most important early works dedicated to criticism of Machiavelli,
especially The Prince, was that of the Huguenot, Innocent Gentillet, whose work
commonly referred to as Discourse against Machiavelli or Anti Machiavel was
published in Geneva in 1576. He accused Machiavelli of being an atheist and accused
politicians of his time by saying that his works were the "Koran of the courtiers", that
"he is of no reputation in the court of France which hath not Machiavel's writings at the
fingers ends". Another theme of Gentillet was more in the spirit of Machiavelli himself:
he questioned the effectiveness of immoral strategies, just as Machiavelli had himself
done, despite also explaining how they could sometimes work. This became the theme
of much future political discourse in Europe during the 17th century.
Modern materialist philosophy developed in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries,
starting in the generations after Machiavelli. This philosophy tended to be republican,
more in the original spirit of Machiavellian, but as with the Catholic authors
Machiavelli's realism and encouragement of using innovation to try to control one's own
fortune were more accepted than his emphasis upon war and politics. Not only was
innovative economics and politics a result, but also modern science, leading some
commentators to say that the 18th century Enlightenment involved a "humanitarian"
moderating of Machiavellianism.
Scholars have argued that Machiavelli was a major indirect and direct influence
upon the political thinking of the founding fathers of the United States. Benjamin
Franklin, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson followed Machiavelli's republicanism
when they opposed what they saw as the emerging aristocracy that they
feared Alexander Hamilton (the first United States Secretary of the Treasury,
a Founding Father, economist, and political philosopher) was creating with the
Federalist Party. Hamilton learned from Machiavelli about the importance of foreign
policy for domestic policy, but may have broken from him regarding how rapacious a
republic needed to be in order to survive.
The 20th century Italian Communist Antonio Gramsci drew great inspiration
from Machiavelli's writings on ethics, morals, and how they relate to the State and
revolution in his writings on Passive Revolution, and how a society can be manipulated
by controlling popular notions of morality. (Wikipedia 2010)
Nowadays commentators have taken very different approaches to Machiavelli,
and not always agreed. Major discussion has tended to be especially about two issues,
first how unified and philosophical his work is, and secondly concerning how
innovative or traditional it is. Machiavellis ideas are used in universities to analyse the
power, competition and strategies in politics and management of enterprises. There are
number of books published which analyse todays management strategies through
perspective of Machiavellis ideas.
1.2.
In his piece The Prince Machiavelli discusses about several topics how to rule and
preserv states that are ruled as principalities. The main objective of this book was to
improve the situation in Italian states on 16th century.
Main six topics that Machiavelli discusses in The Prince are:
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treated friendly and with symphaty but strong power must be debilitated. People of the
state must be treated good or defeated as well treated people are friendly and they will
not endanger the prince, defeated people are not capable to endanger the prince. Another
way to ensure the power is to buy off adherents by offering good salary or other benefits
to gain their loyalty.
It must be kept in mind that everything that may harm the people must be done
at once so they can be forgotten faster but favors must be done slowly and not at once so
their impact would last longer.
Good leader knows that innovation is a basis for making the state stronger. But
he must consider that there is always someone who is against the innovation.
Machiavelli says that opposed are those who did well during old times. Some support
can be expected from those who have a chanche for success in new times. As a rule
those who are againt the innovation put up a much stonger fight than you can expect
support from those who may gain success after innovation. Considering some examples
from the history it is proved that innovations have failed when no force is used for
instance in case of Moses, Romulus etc. But when innovation has been put into practice
and people get used to new situation the leader will gain peoples trust, loyalty, respect
and satisfaction he has the power.
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is not recommended as state will always stay under the influence of those who have
helped it.
Wise prince is never neutral to events which affect his neighbour states.
Declaring himself in favour of one party against the other will always be more
advantageous than standing neutral because if two of your powerful neighbours come to
blows, they are of such a character that, if one of them conquers, you have either to fear
him or not.
As Machiavelli says good prince can never rest on the laurels but must always
act in a way that insures his future in case the fortune will change and turn against him.
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successful who directs his actions according to the spirit of the times, and that he whose
actions do not accord with the times will not be successful.
Those who are capable are not obedient and each one seems to himself to know.
Machiavelli sais that there has never been anyone so distinguished above the rest, either
by valour or fortune, that others would yield to him.
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14
The book which gained a bad reputation when it was written now serves as a guide book
for most politicians and heads of state (prince) around the world. The Prince is a book
which contains practical examples and factual information on how a prince ensures that
he maintains his seat as head of state and achieves great things whiles in power. As a
result the Prince is a book worth reviewing because it contains useful ideas which can
help leaders to rule effectively.
Many have misinterpreted Machiavellis ideas branding him as one who is in
firm support of a corrupt and totalitarian government. However, a close look at his ideas
portrays the need for society to employ a patriotic and an intellectual person to lead a
state or country. The main aim of a prince as often emphasized in the book is that he
should first seek what is best for the state after which he should try maintain his seat as
head of state. However following these ideas to the latter is harmful as it does not
encourage democracy.
economic growth therefore any system that restricts democracy stifles economic
growth. (Machiavellis Ideas 2011)
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Some examples of known politicians and leaders who have found Machiavellis
principles useful are Abraham Lincoln, Louis XIV, cardinal Richelieu, Napoleon
Bonaparte, Benito Mussolini, Dick Morris, an adviser to Bill Clinton etc. It is of course
another question how well all these people understood Machiavelli in the end. It is quite
simple to ignore Machiavelli's normative teaching and only adopt the parts suitable for
opportunist politicians.
For instance some devotees of absolute power like Stalin and Hitler have acted
in many parts exactly as Machiavelli has advised in his treatise. Machiavelli has
recommended to punish everybody who may be rebellious against leader. He has stated
that if leader can hold state strong and united thanks to his cruelty he must not fear
reputation of cruel man. Also by Machiavelli it is better to be feared by people than
loved, but at the same time leader must avoid of being hated by his people. Country
must be defended and have a strong army. Stalin and Hitler have done all these things.
In light of these principles it can be told that Stalin and Hitler were followers of
Machiavellis ideas and used them to make their countries strong and good place to live
for their people. But there are always two sides of every case.
On the other hand Machiavelli has stated that everything that may harm the
people must be done at once so they can be forgotten faster. Machiavelli prohibited
rulers to oppress the nation. These two totalitarians never gave rest for their people, they
followed their own ambitions and not common welfare of people. Machiavelli also
emphasizes that one who gains power by betrayal, brutality and cheating cannot be
called genious nor respectful man. Another point is innovation Machiavelli said that
innovation is a basis for making the state stronger. Neither Stalin not Hitler were
innovative leaders. On the contrary they forbid everything that was different or new.
Therefore many good but also many bad can be done when taking Machiavellis
ideas as strict rules for leaders. It must be understood and taken into account that
Machiavelli lived in totally different society and era than we do, so all his principles
must be adobted very precautiously considering differences of our times and needs.
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the mutability and morality of the backround circumstances which generate the need for
Machiavellis advice.
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is one who has used Machiavellis ideas
in nowadays politics. He has even published an edition of The Prince with his own
comments. Quoting Berlusconi: The political tradition of ancient thought, filtered in
Italy by Machiavelli, says one thing clearly: every prince needs allies, and the bigger the
responsibility, the more allies he needs. (BrainyQuote 2011)
18
Alistair McAlpine has said in his book (McAlpine 2001) that business is about
organizing people so that they behave in a motivated and orderly fashion. Running a
business is about leadership and Machiavellis strategies for political leaders can easily
be adopted and used in business management.
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4. DISCUSSION
Over the years there have been many discussions about Niccol Machiavelli, his
artwork and objectives of the treatise The Prince. Critics have described Machiavelli as
devils student or fiend from hell. His works are sometimes said to have contributed to
the modern negative connotations of the words "politics" and "politician", and it is
sometimes thought that it is because of him that "Old Nick" became an English term
for the devil. Adjective Machiavellian became a pejorative term describing someone
who aims to deceive and manipulate others for personal advantage. (Wikipedia 2010)
Others have argued that his works have a moral foundation belief that evil and
dishonesty can be justified with patriotic interests. (McAlpine 2001)
After reading Machiavellis book The Prince I have found many useful
principles that politics and company leaders can use to achieve their objectives.
Although Machiavelli has written this book with cold calculation, without any delicacy,
it is still passionate book trying to help Machiavellis homeland Italy to regain its
power.
Main principles that Machiavelli has set for leaders, both politicians and
company managers, concern managing the subjects and using the power. Most
outstanding principle in my opinion was Machiavellis recommendation for leader to be
loved or feared by his subjects, but definately avoid to be hated.
In my opinion Machiavellis ideas must be used with cautiousness because if
they are used by malicious leaders, it may cause many evil to whole society as some
examples throughout history have shown.
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CONCLUSION
Machiavelli definately was one of the founders of modern political science. The
Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, in
which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal.
Machiavelli's ideas had a profound impact on political leaders throughout the modern
west. His ideas are nowadays used in universities to analyse the power, competition and
strategies in politics and management of enterprises.
Main topics discussed in The Prince are monarchy as a state power, how to
obtain a state, governance of a state, maintaining a state and defence, qualities of a good
prince, conducting the subjects. All these topics can easily be adopted to political life or
management of companies.
Many great leaders have followed Machiavellis ideas and strategies interpreted
in The Prince and used it as a political guidebook. Though it has not been always used
on equitable purposes. Therefore many good but also many bad can be done when
taking Machiavellis ideas as strict rules for leaders. It must be understood and taken
into account that Machiavelli lived in totally different society and era than we do, so all
his principles must be adobted very precautiously considering differences of our times
and needs.
Running a business is about leadership and Machiavellis strategies for political
leaders can easily be adopted and used in business management.
In conclusion, it can be very advanteous for leaders to know Machiavellis
principles. But they must know how to use them in order not to make more evil than is
needed to fulfil the needs of majority.
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REFERENCES
Bireley, R. (1990). The Counter Reformation Prince. Chapel Hill: The University of
North Carolina Press.
BrainyQuote [WWW]
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/silvio_berlusconi.html
(03.01.2011)
Harris, P., Lock, A., Rees, P. (2000). Machiavelli, Marketing and Management.
London: Routledge.
Machiavellian Politics. OPPapers.com. [WWW]
http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Machiavellian-Politics/245592 (02.01.2011)
Machiavelli, N. (1908). The Prince. [WWW]
http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince00.htm
Machiavelli on the Net. The personal website of Timo Laine. [WWW]
http://www.timoroso.com/philosophy/machiavelli (02.01.2011)
Machiavellis Ideas. OPPapers.com. [WWW]
http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Machiavellis-Ideas/136916 (02.01.2011)
McAlpine, A. (2001). Uus Machiavelli. Poliitikakunst ris. Tartu: O Fontese
Kirjastus.
Wikipedia [WWW] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccolo_Machiavelli (27.12.2010)
Wikipedia [WWW] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince (27.12.2010)
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