Source: Washington Monthly
by Robert J Shapiro
“Trump’s threats are more than a dark schtick or entertainment for his hours-long rallies. They reflect a view of the president as a strongman who determines the law. Niccolo Machiavelli, the Renaissance-era chronicler of power, nailed Donald Trump a long time ago: A strongman ruler should display ‘the fearlessness of a being who makes and executes his own law’ and by issuing threats to punish anyone as he sees fit, he ‘gathers in his person the power to awe his subjects.’ By instinct, Trump heeds Machiavelli’s counsel that a ‘memorable execution’ — or at least the suggestion of one — helps a strongman intimidate the people.” (10/09/24)
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2024/10/09/how-donald-trump-is-channeling-machiavelli/