Chapter 7: Turning Trouble-shooters into scapegoats

In chapter VII in ‘The Prince’: ‘Of new principalities that have been acquired by the aid of others and by good fortune’ Machiavelli a.o. states that those rising from private citizen to prince, due to good fortune, meets little trouble in achieving the elevation, but great difficulties after being placed in the high position. He turns towards the tactic of using a scapegoat and gives examples of a ruler who conducted himself in such a way that he managed to obtain control over a territory in disorder without causing hatred. He appointed as governor a cruel man with great energy, and gave him plenary power. In a short time the cruel man reduced the province to peace and order and gained the highest reputation. Having observed that the past severities had engendered some hatred, he wished to remove that feeling and win their entire confidence. He therefore took occasion to have the cruel man put to death, and his body, cut into two parts, exposed in the market-place, with a block of wood and a bloody cutlass left beside him. The horror of this spectacle caused the people to remain for a time stupefied and satisfied.

To what extent do Machiavelli’s thoughts apply to the roles and responsibilities of modern leaders from different countries, cultures and trades? How predictable and simple is mankind? Do we still use scapegoats to achieve are goals? Is the use of scapegoats a long lost tactic?

Discover The Mind of a Leader…

Participants:
  Hans Engell
  Jokke
  John Dunn
  Lars Håkanson
  Philip Kotler
  Bruce Cohen