The 48 Laws Of Power

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Greene’s Laws in Practice”

In this activity, students will consider the contemporary application of The 48 Laws of Power in business, politics, or other social contexts.

Consider Greene’s assessment of power dynamics and his use of manipulation and deceit to obtain and maintain power. Select five of the laws Greene promotes in the book and use contemporary examples to prove or disprove each one. Examples can be taken from politics, business, or other social settings. Create a visual presentation explaining how Greene’s law applies, or does not apply, to the contemporary example. Consider these questions as you create your presentation.

• How do Greene’s depictions of social interaction compare with advice from psychologists and other professionals?
• Can you identify examples of the power dynamics described by Greene in politics?
• What dynamics exist in the workplace? How might individuals appear weaker or stronger?
• Are amoral individuals more likely to succeed in life?
• How might Greene’s personal experience alter his perspective on power dynamics?

Share your presentation with peers, describing Greene’s law and comparing it to your contemporary example. Evaluate the validity of each law based on your research and explain your reasons for the judgment. Draw conclusions as to the reliability of Greene’s book based on your examples.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may find it beneficial to first brainstorm and discuss contemporary examples of power dynamics, social movements, and politics to better analyze Greene’s tactics and how they may be applied to generate ideas for the activity. Students may wish to analyze multiple examples from one area of business/politician/company, or they may wish to explore a variety of examples from different sources.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who might benefit from an additional challenge can create a comparison between Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power and The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. They might utilize a visual format such as an infographic and explain at least five points of comparison for their presentation.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Greene’s book has been described as  “silly, distasteful” and “nonsense.”

• Is this description of Greene’s book valid or too critical?  (topic sentence)
• Explain the degree to which this description is valid or too critical, using three examples from the novel to support your claim.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize Greene’s motives for writing The 48 Laws of Power as described in the preface and evaluate whether his motives support or disprove the opinion that Greene’s book is  “nonsense.”

2. Greene’s book has been criticized for its laws that seemingly contradict one another.  

• What point might Greene be making through these contradictions? (topic sentence)
• Identify and analyze three instances in which Greene contradicts himself in the book. Explain whether the context of these contradictions validates or invalidates the point Greene intended to make.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, briefly judge the extent to which Greene’s contradictions diminish the readability and general application of the laws for his audience.

3. Green describes power play as being an essential element in survival and further explains that qualities such as honesty, democracy, and fairness leave us vulnerable to those around us who are willing to take advantage of power.

• To what extent do Greene’s assertions suggest that power plays are amoral? (topic sentence)
• Describe Greene’s assessment of morality in connection with power plays, then identify three instances from the text in which Greene encourages amoral behavior to gain or maintain power. How effective is his argument? Use details in your evaluation.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, briefly explain whether you agree with Greene’s assessment of morality in connection to power and why

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Greene describes deception as playing an important role in obtaining and upholding power. Incorporate at least three examples into a brief essay to explain the importance of deception in relation to power. Explain why, according to Greene, deception is more meaningful than honesty in the acquisition and maintenance of power. Reinforce your response by citing specific details from the text.

2. Greene explores various interpersonal interactions and how to use those interactions to gain an advantage over enemies and authority figures. Consider the role of interpersonal communication in Greene’s book. In an essay of at least three main points, describe the extent to which individuals must understand and utilize interpersonal skills to gain power. Cite examples from the text to validate your response.

3. Greene provides historical examples to support the application of his Laws of Power. Consider two historical figures described by Greene and, in two to three paragraphs, compare their strategies for acquiring power. Consider how these individuals’ rise to power supports the text’s themes of The Relationship Between Hardship and Power. Support your response with quotes from the text.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. In what way does Greene advise individuals to weaponize intelligence?

A) Minimize intelligence to appear as though you are not a threat.

B) Project intelligence to obtain power over authority figures.

C) Use discretion with your intelligence to keep others guessing at your motives.

D) Downplay intelligence to garner respect from authority figures.

2. According to Greene, how should an individual respond to someone who has authority over them?

A) Provide authority figures with information to make them feel as though they are less intelligent.

B) Downplay your own talents and physical attributes to make authority figures feel as though they are better than you.

C) Provide a tactical advantage to your enemies to appear as a victim to authority figures.

D) Impress authority figures with the accumulation of your wealth by hosting social events.

3. What is a thumbscrew?

A) An interconnected link

B) A strength

C) A weakness

D) The stratagem of an enemy

4. What does Greene determine to be the best method for innovation and research?

A) Hire individuals to do the work and take the credit for yourself.

B) Use deception and theft to obtain restricted research information.

C) Incorporate the newest technologies to provide you with an advantage.

D) Promote those who align with your goals and tactics.

5. How might symbols and visual imagery be used to convey meaning, as noted by Greene?

A) Symbols can be used to humiliate and degrade an opponent.

B) Symbols permit individuals to effectively associate with subordinates.

C) Symbols communicate importance without overt declarations of dominance.

D) Symbols provide a way for individuals to identify common enemies.

6. What does Greene advise an individual to do if they have damaged their reputation?

A) Remove oneself from society for a time to allow the scandal to dwindle.

B) Bribe others to lie about your deeds to bolster your reputation.

C) Try to repair it by associating with someone who has a good reputation.

D) Continue to live up to the reputation as it has little impact on one’s power.

7. What would Greene advise an individual to do if they receive criticism?

A) Distract your opponent by paying a compliment.

B) Argue your own position against the criticism allowing for a compromise.

C) Intentionally offend the opposing person to assert your dominance.

D) Pretend to agree with the person while carrying out your own wishes.

8. What does Greene ascribe to the value of unpredictability?

A) It allows individuals to be lulled into complacency.

B) It prevents others from thinking they have control over you.

C) It guarantees promotion from authority figures who see your ingenuity.

D) It creates tension in social groups, encouraging others to aspire to a higher position.

9. According to Greene, what should an individual use to make their enemies come to them?

A) Money

B) Planning

C) Bait

D) Force

10. How would Greene advise an individual to act to keep people dependent on them?

A) Work in a number of positions or obtain a specialty that is difficult to replace.

B) Obtain unique intelligences that may be beneficial to your social group.

C) Garner information and blackmail authority figures to leverage power.

D) Become friendly with administrators and use their attachments to maintain your position.

11. What was the intent behind Louis XIV’s court of Versailles, according to Greene?

A) It allowed Louis XIV to acquire privacy and freedom from subordinates.

B) It made Louis XIV aware of his enemies within Versailles.

C) It helped Louis XIV to maintain positive relationships with his court.

D) It permitted Louis XIV to keep watch over the goings on of his court.

12. Which of the following might be used to project confidence, influencing others to believe in your capabilities?

A) Lies and deception

B) The Strategy of the Crown

C) The Mirror Effect

D) The thumbscrew strategy

13. What does Greene believe will inevitably happen to those with an altruistic view of the world?

A) They will be cheated of their influence and remain obscure.

B) They will succeed when others recognize their contributions to society.

C) They will have little influence in the world.

D) They will fail to succeed in creating anything of value.

14. What tool can be used to detract from guilt to ensure one’s reputation remains untarnished?

A) Apologies

B) Scapegoats

C) Denial

D) Thumbscrews

15. What does Greene identify as Alexander the Great’s rare accomplishment?

A) He managed to unify several regions through deceit and cunning.

B) He was happier though less successful than his predecessors.

C) He was able to achieve more than his accomplished father.

D) He utilized his father’s accumulation of wealth to conquer new lands.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. Discuss the importance Greene places on appearances and reputation in his book.

2. What is Greene’s perspective on friendship? Do you agree with his claims regarding friendship and business?