Being Powerful Part 1
Machiavellianism is a belief system from a same named character in historical accounts characterized by a tendency to see other people as a means to an end or the ‘might makes right’ attitude.
Manipulation, deceitfulness, high levels of self-interest and strength or power capability over others is the right to use it for personal gain. So often in society, and in history, there are stories of the powerful taking advantage of the less powerful in Machiavellian ways.
Survival of the fittest is considered a similar philosophy but different in that the best set of characteristics to survive is what survives instead of the choice of the strong to take from the weak. If the ‘weak’ survive, there is some characteristic which made the ‘weak’ better at survival.
Warriors would, in a very literal way, win by any means. If they won, they had the right to win; so they would plow over and take advantage of the enemy, leaving all the collateral damage they chose, taking whatever they wanted as their ‘right’ in victory.
In modern society, strong companies use and abuse the little guy by taking them over, destroying the mom-and-pop companies, using dangerous practices that hurt the environment, and taking advantage of the consumer.
These practices are of the same Machiavelli mindset. Some wealthy people, whether born to it or newly minted through their own efforts, sometimes tend toward that mindset. Many taking whatever advantage they can of ‘lesser’ people, just because they can.
Some people take advantage of the rich, of the systems in society, of the goodness of others and their desire to fix the problems of the victim. Some people play the victim, use their victimy. They revel in and make sure all know that they deserve to have all that is ‘needed’, given to them.
They use their victim mindset as their power over others. These victims think that the only power they have is in being a victim. They believe they are not strong except in playing the victim, so they get to take advantage of others just like some wealthy take advantage of the poor.
Power is in fact so much more than this! Lasting power cannot be taken. Come back Friday to Part II, to learn what lasting power comes from.
