Machiavelli: Guide to Tyranny

In the twentieth century two key figures stand on top of the tower of tyrannical leaders: Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler. Together these two leaders were responsible for more deaths and suffering than most can ever imagine. Their rise to power and their stability of power with their people could have been predicted though. In The Prince, Machiavelli outlined the type of behavior and leadership that is required to govern a country. Machiavelli’s book outlines, among other concepts, the use of any and all means, war, and fear in order to rise to power and stay in power. Thus, The Prince should be regarded as a guide to tyranny.
“We are fifty or a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years. Either we do it, or we shall be crushed.” (Joseph Stalin in his speech to industrial managers, February 1931). Machiavelli tells us in effect that the end justifies the means. Joseph Stalin accomplished something just short of a miracle ...