The ends tend to justify the moves on the chessboard in the game of power.

Gaining power is an immoral game which differ in any situation and context, yet the whole world plays this game by the same rules. We can not avoid this power game, so we better start understanding how this all works.

“How we live is so different from how we ought to live that he who studies what ought to be done rather than what is done will learn the way to his downfall rather than to his preservation.”

― Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

In his book “The Prince“, Niccolò Machiavelli identifies four ways how someone with ambition (a prince) can rise to power.

1. By virtue

The ones who have great skills and resources in their own hands, tend to have a hard time reaching the top. Once they are there however, they tend to be very stable and secure in their position. This is because they now have power to put their skills to work; they can crush their enemies and earn great respect with all the others. They are strong and self-sufficient because it is based on their own skill and resources, so they do not have to rely too much on others or on luck.

2. By fortune

When someone comes to power through luck or the blessing of powerful people, he usually has an easy time climbing the latter to the top. Yet, he has a hard time keeping the power after, because his power is dependent on luck or the blessing of others. He does not command the loyalty of his people, and so this can be taken from him at any time. He has risen the easy way and it is not by far certain he has the skill and strength to stand his own ground.

3. By “crime virtue”

Some people rise to power through cruel and immoral deeds. They secure their position by executing anyone in their way. Their immoral deeds might alienate their people if they keep doing it during their regime. Yet, if these immoral deeds come together in one blow, these deeds are slowly forgotten. This way of gaining power can create an empire, but will never give the prince any glory.

4. By selection

A prince can also be elected, in particularly by two groups; the top of the food-chain are those who wish to rule the people and the actual people, those who do not be wished to ruled by the top of the food-chain. The first case is very unstable and should be avoided after coming to power (he might use it to get there). He has to use his power to make or break the great at any time to keep power over them. The second case is only possible when he can win over the people. He can do that by not getting frightened in adversity and will be successful if is able to make the people depended on him.

What do you think is the right strategy to gain power?