Chapter 3: External Organisations & Markets

In chapter III in ‘The Prince’: ‘Of mixed Principalities’ Machiavelli a.o. states that it is in a new principality that difficulties present themselves. When the acquired states are in the same country, speaking the same language, they are easy to hold, for in that case it suffices to extend the line of the former prince. But when they are not, the best and most efficient means is for the prince who has acquired them to reside there. Being on the spot, enables him to quickly remedy disorders as he see them arise; whereas not being there, makes it difficult to hear of them until they have become so great that remedy is no longer possible. The next best means is to establish colonies in one or two key locations. But if instead of colonies an armed force is sent to preserve a newly acquired province, it will involve much greater expenditures, and give greater offence.

To what extent do Machiavelli’s thought’s apply to the roles and responsibilities of modern leaders from different countries, cultures and trades? How should external organisations be managed or new territories penetrated? Should a leader pay attention to, or adapt to new cultures and how important is it to be present in order to detect possible problems at an early stage? Do modern leaders make considerations in regards to their choice of staff and to what extent the local inhabitants are needed in order to prevail?

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