Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli

The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli

Brief Summary:

This is obviously a pretty well-known work, so it would be a waste to spend too much time summarizing. Machiavelli reviews (mostly Italian) history looking for patterns of successful and unsuccessful leadership. He summarizes those points he feels a new prince should understand - about how to lead, which allies to choose, from whom to seek counsel, when to fight, how to defend your principality, etc.

Some examples of specific points:

If you have to choose, it is better to be feared than loved, because men will be more easily driven by fear than love when times are trying.

If you conquer a place go live there.

"The wise prince should adopt a course of action ...[such that] his citizens will always have need of the state, and need of the prince ... and then he will always find them faithful."

Reaction:

I believe a statesman has to understand Machiavelli even if he doesn't poison anyone. Machiavelli tried to set aside God and morality and focus solely on the increase and maintenance of power. Many of his lessons are important. I remember studying the Prince in high school and thinking it all seemed very reasonable. What I am struck by now is how much of what he counsels is in fact evil - you have to substitute a lot of words to get a sanitized reading that a modern politician or leader should follow.

Still there are valid points about how to be respected as a leader, and some good specific suggestions like the ones above (if you take something over go there and supervise it yourself - this would be a great lesson for Symantec, as acquired companies might feel like part of the empire instead of like conquered territories).

Follow-On Reading:
I already wanted to read the Art of War by Sun Tzu but in a way this book makes me want to read that one less.

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