Machiavelli’s Advice For Today’s Businessman

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Niccolo Machiavelli’s Advice for Today’s Businessman

Niccolo Machiavelli was essentially the first political philosopher of the

Renaissance, developing a system of business tactics to gain and retain power

over any body in which a leader reigns. His tactics are ruthless, merciless and savage,

though undoubtedly productive. Machiavelli’s advice for business people is a valid

source for anyone looking to rise in status even today as his principles have withstood

the test of time. With superb admonition for both workers on top or on bottom of the

totem-pole, ‘The Prince’ is a must-read for an individual before looking into a corporate

profession.

Machiavelli was a realist, understanding quite well how humans think and act. By

this, he constructed his own system for attaining power. He first thinks that once a ruler is

overthrown, the new ruler, or ‘The Prince’, should be the sole authority. Next, all the

existing members of the former administration must be marked for death so that there is

no chance of them regaining power. Next, concerning the citizens, he believes that it is

not wise to trust the citizens because in dismal times they will quickly turn against him,

however on the contrary, ‘The Prince’ should not abuse them because in uplifting times

they will remain loyal. Machiavelli believes that a separation from the church is a must,

as the church’s intervening with his monarchy distills an altruism that ‘The Prince’ can

not have. Concerning the law enforcement, Machiavelli feels that the ‘The Prince’ should make capital punishment the solitary means of discipline, because eventually a free

criminal’s exposure amongst the rest of the population will just increase the crime.

Finally, Machiavelli feels that being selfish is better than being generous because the

generous people of this world are usually the first to be ta...