8 Greatest Modern-Day Machiavellian Characters

Tony Soprano illustrates the implications of maintaining the seat of power, as there is nothing Tony would not do for the betterment of the 'family'. The empire kingpin will bargain with colleagues and adversaries, whilst demonstrating a propensity to murder those who represent a challenge to his authority and positioning within the mob world.

One of the key principles of machiavellianism is the necessity to abandon ethics in the pursuit of maintaining power at all costs. The process of achieving power is long, arduous and morally-deprived. Maintaining that power is treacherous.

Like Iago, however, there is significant evidence to suggest that Tony Soprano is less a student of Machiavelli than other sources. Whilst Iago may have been an improvised, ad-hoc machiavel, Tony Soprano suggests he is more inclined to strategise and manoeuvre his enemies through empathetic theorising. To this end, he acclaims the signature work of Sun Tzu - 'The Art Of War' - and the essentialness of approaching problems from your enemies point-of-view (interestingly, this was a primary fear of Lord Baelish, who feared the prospect of his enemies deducing his next move). 

Perhaps the murder of Tony's friend 'Big Pussy', who turned FBI-informant demonstrates his capacity as a strong strategic-thinker, rather than the unsympathetic Machiavellian; although, his position of power at the pinnacle of the mob required multiple murders, betrayals and a vast network of information.