Dynastic Rule vs. Military Conquest: The Evolution of Power in World History
What dark arts practitioners can learn from the history of conquest and rule.
Scrolls of the Dark Arts for Scholars
The Dark Arts have been practiced since antiquity. Achieving Dark Arts mastery requires studying the manuals of the Dark Arts and internalizing their lessons.
Dark Arts Instruction Manuals include the following classics:
One: The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli. Amoral statecraft.
Two: The Art of War, by Sun Tzu, Statecraft and Organized Violence.
Three: The 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene.
This is part of a series on The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli. It provides a summary and real-life historical examples of other Dark Arts masters who applied its principles.
Ruling Principalities
In "The Prince," Niccolò Machiavelli discusses the differences between principalities gained through inheritance and those acquired through conquest. Here are some details on each:
Principalities Gained Through Inheritance
Easier to Maintain: Machiavelli notes that hereditary principalities are easier to maintain than new ones. The ruling family's longstanding authority and the population's familiarity with their rule contribute to this stability.
Loyalty and Tradition: Subjects in hereditary states tend to be more loyal due to long-standing ties and traditions. This loyalty makes it less likely for them to rebel and easier for the ruler to govern.
Established Governance Systems: These principalities usually have established laws and governing systems, which can make administration more straightforward.
Less Need for Cruelty: Machiavelli points out that rulers of inherited states need not resort to excessive cruelty or oppression, as their legitimacy is less often questioned.
Principalities Acquired Through Conquest
You may be familiar with Elon Musk’s purchase and takeover of Twitter in 2022. This was a classic acquisition through conquest, and he faced all the problems below as outlined in a Harvard Business Review publication.
Difficulty in Ruling: New principalities, gained through conquest, fortune, or ability, are more challenging to govern. The ruler must establish his authority in an area where he is not traditionally recognized.
Resistance and Rebellion: There is often resistance from the conquered people who are unaccustomed to the new ruler's laws and governance style. This resistance can lead to rebellion.
Need for Strong Leadership: Machiavelli suggests that to maintain control in a new principality, a ruler must be strong, decisive, and sometimes ruthless. He must establish his power quickly and effectively to quash dissent.
Use of Force and Governance Skills: The conqueror must use a mix of force, cunning, and sound governance to integrate the new territory into his domain. This might include installing loyal administrators, building a strong military presence, and adapting to local customs to some degree.
Adaptability and Pragmatism: A ruler who acquires a new principality must be adaptable and pragmatic. He should know how to handle different circumstances and be prepared to change tactics as needed.
Machiavelli's analysis in "The Prince" demonstrates a keen understanding of the complexities of power and governance. He contrasts the relative ease of ruling a hereditary state with the challenges that accompany a new principality, providing pragmatic advice for rulers in both situations.
Historical Examples
Principalities Gained Through Inheritance:
The Habsburg Monarchy in Europe: This is a classic example of a principality obtained through inheritance. The Habsburgs, one of the most influential royal houses in Europe, inherited vast territories in Austria, Hungary, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and other parts of Europe through strategic marriages and familial succession over centuries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Founded by Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1932, this kingdom has been passed down within the Saud family. The succession mostly follows a line of brothers (sons of Ibn Saud) and recently has started transitioning to the next generation (grandsons of Ibn Saud). While inheritance may be easier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman orchestrated the extrajudicial killing abroad of Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and exiled government critic who once served as an adviser and aide to a Saudi ambassador.
Principalities Acquired Through Conquest:
The British Empire under Queen Elizabeth I: Elizabeth I's reign saw significant expansion of the British Empire through conquest. This includes the establishment of colonies in the Americas and the defeat of the Spanish Armada, which marked Britain's emergence as a major global naval power.
The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan: Genghis Khan, through conquest, created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Eastern Europe across Asia. His empire was a result of military campaigns, conquests, and the unification of various nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia.
Dark Arts Disclaimer
The path of the Dark Arts beckons to the strong and ambitious, yet it carries its own set of consequences.
Most who follow the dark path regret their choices, often in the twilight of their lives, after being abandoned by their family or suffering a career-ending setback from which there is no recovery.
Do-gooders who follow the path of light wish to witness the downfall of Dark Arts Masters. Due to our lack of compassion or mercy, they shrink from our potency, but they actively work to undermine us whenever they can.
Followers of the dark path discover that genuine affection from others is rare or absent. Instead, we’re surrounded by fearful sycophants and aspiring apprentices who feign fondness but will betray us when it suits them.
The demise of Dark Arts Master is inglorious, symbolically in their professional lives and emotionally within the confines of their homes. Often, the actions of others seal their fate, and they meet their lonely and forgotten end, having alienated everyone.
The allure of power attracts individuals willing to pursue this fickle Fate. We adhere to power’s principles and ultimately meet our cruel fate at its cold hands.