The return of Machiavelli: The politics of resistance and consensus building.




At the hopefirstgroup and alertconsulting (http://alertconsulting.net/) we have created a course on the management of conflict (http://learn.alertconsulting.net/)in this regard, we have created the bulk of our material from a local library (impressive in it's size and quality).

This week we are examining the life of Machiavelli as he makes a strange comeback.

Primary source of material points to his relevance in our day and the tough decisions that politicians must make to GAIN, CONSOLIDATE and KEEP POWER.

The Microsoft Encarta Premium Describes a few key areas that give some structure to the book. It is useful to realize that the book was written as a guide book for a ruling family in Rome and designed to help the current family understand clearly the link between the present day leader and his circumstances and the direct link to leadership.

1. Leave nothing to chance. Use of strategy in the rise to power.
2. Organize your military and keep them in check. If possible make uses that they always have an enemy. It will keep them from thinking too much.
3. Deliver results for your constituents. It's your job.
4. Take care of your turf.

Then he goes on to list some historically significant figures and the means that they used to rise in power and influence.

The leaders and the families listed are used to provide a path for a strategic rise and to describes the ideas that were used to cause this rise.
1. The use of political control using crime.
2. The ability to rise using divide and rule.
3. How to propel your son to power.
4. Standards and practices used in harnessing the support of religious groups.
5. The use of political power through crime.
6. The value of wisdom and wise counsel in the selection of advisors.
7. How to capitalize on the failures of subordinates (especially those who were often given to violence).
8. The ability to change your tactics.
9. The cost of alliances on city states.
10. The place of preachers in politics and governance.

In addition to this the book helps differentiate between fortune and virtue the first used to define those events that are beyond human control while the second is used to define those things which people can do to control fate. The advise for leaders is simple. Learn how to manage these.

In addition to this the Encarta Premium Lists three key areas that stand out in the direction of the book.

The first already alluded to Fate and Chance, the second is the importance of perception or in this case Deception, the third is WAr and peace and the management of war time affairs (central in development and trust in the leaders life).

In the next post we will examine a list of possible parallel characters whose lives can be used to paint as close a picture to this type of leadership.

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