Some believe it’s wise for a ruler to manage their affairs based on the influence of factions or alliances. However, the best leaders know this isn’t true. Instead, their greatest strength lies in focusing on what benefits everyone—things that bring people of different sides together—or dealing with individuals directly, one by one. That said, factions shouldn’t be ignored entirely.
People who are rising in status often rely on factions for support. But those who are already powerful are better off staying neutral, not tied to any side. Even for those starting out, it’s smarter to align themselves with a faction that can still work peacefully with the opposing side. This balance often opens the best opportunities.
Interestingly, weaker factions tend to stick together more firmly, while stronger ones can fracture under pressure. History shows that a small, determined group often outlasts a larger, less united one. When one faction is defeated, the victors usually break into smaller groups and fight among themselves. For instance, in ancient Rome, the senate (known as the “optimates”) resisted Pompey and Caesar. But once the senate’s power fell, Caesar and Pompey turned on each other. Similarly, after Brutus and Cassius were defeated, their victors—Antony and Octavian—soon became enemies.
This doesn’t just happen in wars; it’s the same in personal rivalries. Those who are second-in-command in a faction might rise to the top when divisions occur—or they might lose everything. Many people’s influence relies on opposition, and when that opposition disappears, they fade into irrelevance.
It’s also common for people to switch sides once they’ve secured their position. They assume they’ve already gained loyalty from their original faction and now look to gain favour with the other side. Interestingly, traitors often end up with the biggest rewards because when a conflict is stuck in a stalemate, winning over one key person can tip the scales—and they usually get all the credit.
Staying neutral between two factions isn’t always about being fair or balanced. Sometimes, it’s just a clever strategy to take advantage of both sides. In Italy, for example, people become suspicious of popes who call themselves “Padre commune” (common father) too often, as it often hints that they’re prioritising their own family’s interests above all else.
Factions and Kings
Kings must be especially careful about aligning themselves with factions. When leaders within a kingdom form strong alliances, it creates loyalty to the faction that can override loyalty to the crown itself. This weakens the monarch’s authority, as seen in the League of France, where the king became merely “one of us.”
When factions become too powerful or violent, it signals weakness in a ruler and harms both their reputation and their ability to govern effectively. Ideally, factions should operate like the smaller orbits of the universe, each with their own movements but ultimately controlled by the larger, more stable orbit of the ruler. A wise king ensures these smaller movements never disrupt the unity of the whole.
By managing factions with balance and focus, leaders can maintain authority, avoid unnecessary division, and ensure lasting stability in their reign.
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