Saturday, September 6, 2008

The 26th Law of Power: Keep Your Hands Clean

Four simple words, used to define political action at large for as long as we can remember. In essence, the Law suggests, nay, prescribes the use of a scapegoat in order to avoid potentially sticky situations. By utilizing (emphasis on the term) others to receive the blame for your actions or circumstances, you shift public attention from your own shortcomings and avert anything that might incite misgivings towards your position or potency. An example of this would be Emperor Nero persecuting the early Christians, on whom he blames a large conflagration that consumed a large part of Rome.

The Law also recommends the use of a “cat’s-paw” to do one’s dirty work for him; once he has outlived his usefulness, hew can be discarded, silenced or sacrificed. An example of this would be President Jose Laurel being manipulated by the Japanese occupiers to formally head a puppet government, while he is also put at the receiving end of many allegations by patriots of being a collaborator.

The Law encourages people in power to discard friends like a monkey going through bananas; once one has taken all that he could benefit, he leaves whatever is left in the dust.

However, this Law does have a flipside: if, for instance, a person in power uses his contacts to do his under-the-table dealings and his cover is blown, he might face exponentially worse results, like impeachment, or possibly even lynching.

Nathan De Leon
Hi18-O

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Law of Power 3: Conceal Your Intentions

It will be infinitely easier for your enemies to thwart your plans when they know what you're up to. So plant fake clues, cover your scent with red herrings, hide your motives with false sincerity and you will have them exactly where you want them to be and in the end achieve your goals.

The third law of power discusses the various ways on how you can conceal your intentions. one way is by sending mixed signals; confuse your enemies or your target/s with decoys or by being ambiguous and unpredictable. Do the things they'd least expect you to do and when they think they've got you figured out, do something unexpected and contrary to what they think you are or up to. This was the advice of the infamous courtesan Ninon de Lanclos to a young marquis who was pursuing a beautiful countess. Bysending mixed, ambiguous signals instead of outrightly confessing his love would the marquis catch the countess' interest. All went well for the young nobleman until he violated Lanclos' instructions and revealed his true feelings to the countess right away. the countess then lost all interest in him and even felt used and embarrassed.

Another way of hiding your intentions is by pretending to support something which is against your beliefs, principles, goals and motives. Back this up with false sincerity. This was the technique Otto von Bismarck used in attaining the position of Prussia's premier and achieving waht he wanted for his country. Bismarck was for the war against Austria but, seeing that Prussia's armies were still incapable of defeating the enemy, he preetnded to be against it, an action which shocked many becaue they thought he would support it, and persuaded the king not to send Prussia's troops into battle. The King was grateful to him for this and raised Bismarck to a position where he could strengthen and ready Prussia's armies for the war. When he finally led Prussia to war against Austria, his country brought home the victory, he had succeeded and had won the favor of many.

Another way of disguisisng one's actions is through the use of smoke screens--something you can hide behin and use to direct your opponent's attention away from your intentions and motives. This was what the infamous conman Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil used in deceiving a wealthy businessman. A smoke screen is one of the main keys of deception.

Also, in deceiving someone and concealing your intentions, play on human nature. People instinctively trust appearances. Try to look and act like someone they can trust becuase, ovce they do, they will be honest with you about everything. Thus can you discern their purposes, motives, personality, character, flaws, strengths and weaknesses. Most people think they can win the favor of others by being completely honest. Take advantage of this. Do not atttract attention to yourself. Appear as bland and as uninteresting as possible. Your enemies will take you for granted and they won't see you as a threat. Be like a wolf in sheep's clothing; appear meek and mild and then attack at the right moment, when your opponents have set their defenses down. This is how the Ethiopian warlord Haile Selassie made a powerful enemy surrender to him.

Always remember to never cause any suspision amongst your foes. Strike when and where they least expect it.

Janna AmigoII AB Lit (Eng)Hi18 N