Niccolò Machiavelli: language, power and leadership

This chapter investigates the nexus of language, power and leadership in Niccolò Machiavelli’s (1469-1527) political thought and political writings, such as The Prince and The Discourses. It shows that the relationship between power and language in Machiavelli’s standards for leadership operates at a number of levels. First of all, there is the advice Machiavelli offers to leaders for effective communication in the political arena. Second, there is his blunt rhetorical style combined with the perspective of a Renaissance writer who not only speaks in the humanist voice of his times, but helps to shape its expression. Finally, there are the strategic ways in which discourse is employed in his narratives. These three aspects of Machiavelli’s rhetoric demonstrate his deep consideration for canons of strategic public communication, involving, above all, the awareness of audience’s social, psychological and political predispositions. As such, they make for Machiavelli’s unique political judgement and rhetorical stance which both remain relevant in the 21st century.