(First, before the video)
Focused Read in 3-4 minutes
"Donald Trump and the 48
Laws of Power
An analysis
By Jim Swift
The 1998 best selling
book, The 48 Laws of Power, is a Machiavellian Bible of
sorts. Donald Trump, author of his own many books telling people how
he thinks they can get ahead, is also a student of Machiavelli.
How does Trump's success
comport with Robert Greene's 48 laws? Let's dive in:"
First: 1 through 10 of the laws, with analysis, to give you an idea of what you can expect when you hit the link for the full article.
Second: A 7:58-minute video of Ari Melber's MSNBC interview with the author of the "laws" Both links can be found below. You decide if "Trump's success comports with...the laws!
"Law 1 -- Never Outshine the Master: At best, Trump rarely abides by this law. He represents himself as a master of many things, and won't let voters on the campaign trail forget it. To Trump, Trump is the master -- it's who he is.
Law 2 -- Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How To Use Enemies: Trump is not relying on his old political friends to make a splash—the Donald is the splash. Potential opponents he has supported or given money to (Hillary Clinton; much of the GOP field) are now the butt of his jokes. "If you have no enemies," Greene writes, you should "find a way to make them." It's safe to say Donald Trump is well on his way to making more enemies than ever, and in a short period of time. Why? Friends can turn on you, as Greene observes, and if you "hire a former enemy ...he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove."
Law 3 -- Conceal Your Intentions: Trump did this from the very start, since in the past he has flirted with running for elected office a few times. The press doubted his seriousness, and they were wrong. Trump did everything they said he wouldn't and it created a spectacle. Whether this campaign is a legitimate one or one of the most brilliant PR campaigns ever is something we're not likely to ever know.
Law 4 -- Always Say Less than Necessary: This is one of Trump's areas of specialty. When asked at a town hall meeting recently whether he'll put out "comprehensive" plans (and by comprehensive, we're talking six page plans) on other policy issues, Trump demurred. Saying less than necessary provides flexibility. And, as Greene writes: "Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinx like."
Law 5 -- So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life: The Donald knows this more than any candidate in the field, as his reputation is his life. Past woes and troubles notwithstanding, Trump always finds a way to spin yarn into gold and mask the smell of doo on his shoe after he's stepped in it. And whenever Trump is attacked, his PR machine goes to DEFCON 1 to defend the Donald and attacks those who question him.
Law 6 -- Court Attention At All Cost: I don't think this needs any further examination.
Law 7 -- Get Others To Do the Work for you, But Always Take the Credit: Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Senator, "helped" Donald Trump concoct his immigration plan. Who really did the intellectual heavy lifting there and who got the credit? Similarly, many of Trump's properties are joint ventures, but Trump usually gets the credit—and the naming rights.
Law 8 -- Make Other People Come To You – Use Bait If Necessary: Trump's remarks regarding Megyn Kelly and his supposedly bad/tough/unfair treatment at the Fox News Debate in Cleveland was the bait. Guess who came running?
Law 9 -- Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument: Wrote Greene: "Demonstrate, do not explicate." This is one area where Donald Trump is setting the agenda. Yes, Trump was fibbing when he claimed this Republican field wouldn't be talking about immigration were it not for him, but would the 14th amendment discussion and anchor babies be at the forefront, were it not for him setting the agenda? Challengers have yet to find a way to stump Trump here, as actions beat argument, and argument is mostly what they're doing.
Law 10 -- Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky: Trump calls people he doesn't like "losers." It's safe to assume Trump does not surround himself with unhappy people. One might think having a lawyer who tells journalists "I will come after your [publication] and everybody else that you possibly know,” is a sad, unhappy person. Perhaps to most of us, but in Trump world he may be perfectly happy. Trump has a band of loyalists and doesn't surround himself with people who don't fit in. ...
How far will the Donald go
in 2016? If he continues to adhere to the 48 laws of power, probably
further than many might think."
You can read the full analysis here
(Now) The video in 7:58 minutes
You can watch Robert Greene, an
internationally renowned expert on power strategies and author of "48
Laws of Power," explain how Trump misunderstands power during the Melber interview here
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