The Prince in a Democracy
Niccolo Machiavelli It is customary for those who wish to gain the favor of a prince to endeavor to do so by offering him gifts of those things which they hold most precious. Niccolò Machiavelli THE MIND OF THE PRINCE The only goal of a Prince is to get and keep power. Others may lust after wealth or prestige but all that matters to the Prince is power. Power is the only reality. Information is just a tool to support and increase power. Power is personal. The Prince's interests are the country's interests. The Prince sees society divided in three groups - supporters, enemies, and the silent, fearful politically passive. Politics is a zero-sum game. You win, your enemies lose. There are no democratic negotiations or compromises. Only temporary alliances that can be broken. BUILDING YOUR POLITICAL BASE You share with your supporters a deeply negative view of the future of society. Your supporters see a bright ...