"Regime Change" - 21st Century Model of 16th Century Machiavelli

 In 1513, Niccolo Machiavelli published "The Prince." That was an amoral guide on how to get, hold and increase political power. The core lessons include:

Better to be feared than loved

Virtue-signaling a must, but no need to be on the right side of ethical norms

Destroy the opposition

Accept that the means justifies the end.

In 2026, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan published "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump." Ranking 135 on Amazon, "Regime Change" has wide reach. In a sense, it serves to deconstruct the 21st century success formulas for power domination. At least for now. Much of that could collapse after the midterms.

However, for now - the setting is the second Trump administration - here seems to be the kind of Machiavelli guidance for power dynamics. The authors present the strategy and then provide copious examples. Following is not a full list.

Total lack of shame. This, though, is not unique to the administration. Overall, shame has been erased as a reliable control norm in American society. 

The reputation hits to, for example, financial innovator Leon Black, have not destroyed him. Despite poundings like "Money To Burn" he's continues to be prominent in the financial and art worlds. His wealth continues to grow. And the endless poundings on law firm Paul, Weiss haven't lessened its financial performance or ability to poach stars. 

Reality bending. The administration not only creates the assertion that the 2020 election was won by Trump. That is widely reinforced by conservative influencers and media. MAGA itself is based on an imaginary villain. That was the progressive. 

This is not new, of course. The late Steve Jobs was associated with the "Reality Distortion Factor." Through twisted facts and piling on layers of intense vision, the impossible became possible. 

Retaliation. The message sent was: Don't even consider opposing this power force. The tools ranged from Executive Orders to humiliation. That served as a deterrent. 

The book points out that, after law firms began getting hit with the EOs, Skadden proactively settled with the administration. That could be why it took so much of the early heat from cutting a deal. Influential "60 Minutes" had a jolly good time focusing on Skadden. 

In itself that created a new wrinkle in this dynamic: All players became frozen with fear. Don't comply and your business could be finished. Comply too readily and you could be finished in the court of public relations. 

Wealth. That replaces high intelligence, cognitive and emotional, which used to win friends and influence. 

This is the new price of entry for getting on the radar. Meanwhile, being poor has become unacceptable. So, punish them. Cut off financial safety nets. 

Chaos. Not only did that put the world (and beyond the US) off-balance. This form of political guerrilla warfare could introduce a new narrative, diverting attention from what had been sticky. 

Presidential power provided the ammo to make the news of the day. That, in turn, could impact everything from geopolitics to the stock market. 

Spectacle. Always be out there in a big way. Provocative announcements such as the $5,000 dividend in the midterms are the new usual. There's also the vision of the ballroom. 

Bread and circuses as a way to maintain control dates back to ancient Rome. Add on the two-hour speeches. Those were typical for supposed reformer Fidel Castro.

In coaching, I guide clients to accept that power is the significant variable in their ability to earn a good living. In a job search and when on the job, identify who has it, what they want and how you can deliver on that without losing your human dignity. Hard work, even brilliant work - mere defensive strategies. 

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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