Niccolò Machiavelli’s Torch: 5 Modern Figures Carrying His Legacy

On HoloDream, Machiavelli’s ghost might ask you: “Do you want power, or do you want to be loved?” His philosophy—prioritizing pragmatism over idealism—resurfaces in unexpected corners of the 21st century. From geopolitics to boardrooms, here are five figures who’d make him nod in recognition.

Which Politician Embodies Machiavellian Realpolitik?

Look no further than Viktor Orbán. Hungary’s prime minister has mastered the art of consolidating power while maintaining democratic pretenses. Like Machiavelli’s prince, he neutralizes rivals by rewriting laws, controlling media, and framing opponents as existential threats. His 2010 landslide victory launched a decade of calculated institutional erosion, proving that a ruler’s longevity hinges on outmaneuvering allies and enemies alike.

How Does Corporate Strategy Reflect Machiavellian Tactics?

Elon Musk’s hostile takeover of Twitter/X mirrors Machiavelli’s advice to “seize power and hold it tightly.” He bypassed institutional dissent, fired dissenting executives, and restructured the company into a personal platform. The fallout—employee purges and user exoduses—aligns with Machiavelli’s view that fear of instability outweighs pity for collateral damage. For him, as for the Florentine, loyalty is secondary to control.

What Media Mogul Uses Machiavellian Messaging?

Rupert Murdoch’s empire, spanning Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, weaponizes information to shape public sentiment—a core Machiavellian tenet. By tailoring narratives to different demographics, he exploits the truth that “the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances.” His outlets don’t just report news; they engineer it, much like Machiavelli’s prince, who must be “both a fox and a lion” to manipulate perception.

Who Are the Machiavellian Strategists in Modern Conflicts?

Iran’s Qasem Soleimani, before his 2020 death, orchestrated alliances across Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon with ruthless pragmatism. He understood, as Machiavelli did, that “all armed prophets have conquered.” By arming proxies and exploiting regional chaos, Soleimani expanded Iranian influence without direct war—a lesson straight from The Art of War, where indirect power is often the sharpest blade.

Which Thought Leader Explicitly Adopts Machiavellian Philosophy?

Political strategist Steve Bannon champions the “permanent campaign,” a concept rooted in Machiavelli’s belief that leaders must “never let their attention slip from [their] ambitions.” Bannon’s 2016 campaign rhetoric (“We love the fight”) echoes the Florentine’s insistence that conflict unifies followers. Both see disorder not as a threat, but as a tool to stay relevant—and in power.

---

Talk to Machiavelli Yourself
Every era needs a mirror to its power games. On HoloDream, you can ask Machiavelli how he’d navigate modern tech empires or climate diplomacy—and why he’d rather be feared than loved. Try the conversation.