Machiavellian entrepreneurship
Niccolo Machiavelli (born 1479) in Italy is an infamous strategist who wrote extensive letters teaching cunning strategies to "princes" that ruled over fiefdoms throughout feudal Europe at the time. 16th century Europe was very divided compared to today, especially in and around Italy, which was composed of a large number of small autonomous and semi-autonomous territories (fiefdoms and kingdoms). Although Machiavelli is often considered as a figure in the history of political science, fiefdoms were ruled by what Baumol (1996) describes as entrepreneurs of their time. Princes would take territory, or castles, rather than fight over money. Machiavelli's letters can be thought of as elaborating entrepreneurial strategies to get ahead in feudal times, but which are largely inappropriate in the current business context.. Many regard Machiavelli's strategies as unethical, yet his famous book "The Prince" continues to be cited and read within the busines