Media release

February , 2010

In the run-up to a general election, a professor from the University of Chester will be exploring how Machiavellian influences have impacted on ethical leadership and increased accountability in public affairs.

Professor Phil Harris, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Westminster Chair of Marketing and Public Affairs, will be focussing on this issue during his thought-provoking inaugural lecture.

Entitled Machiavelli and the Global Compass: Ends and Means in Ethics and Leadership, the lecture will outline Machiavelli’s career, philosophical thought and his impact on modern-day government and organisations.

“Machiavelli’s thought and his work can be best applied to bring genuine clarity and value to organisations in challenging modern times”, explained Professor Harris.

“Niccolo Machiavelli is used as a guide to some of the key issues facing modern government and applies his insights into the effective management and development of civic society. Political marketing, good governance, lobbying, ethics and effective communication with the consumer are all issues developed from an understanding of Machiavelli’s thought.

“The lecture will focus on what is publicly said and what is privately done. For instance, sometimes things that are said publicly are not deliverable privately, which raises the issue of ethics and values. As we approach a general election, it is an interesting time to question what people want to see from key opinion formers and leaders in society, post the biggest financial crisis for decades.

He added: “Machiavelli was a great observer of people and life. One of his most famous books, The Prince, is the political primer of how to take power and maintain it.”

The lecture will also look at the key dates in Machiavelli’s life (1469-1527), and a calendar of the development of his thought and associated mythology.

During his career, Professor Harris has held a number of high profile positions, including past Chairman of the Marketing Council, UK, PLC, and is the current International Research Director of the European Centre for Public Affairs. He is also joint Founding Editor of the Journal of Public Affairs and a member of a number of international editorial and advisory boards.

He has published over 150 publications in the area of communications, lobbying, entrepreneurship, political marketing, public affairs, relationship marketing and international trade.

His latest books include The Penguin Dictionary of Marketing and Lobbying and Public affairs in the UK. Extracts from Professor Harris’ inaugural lecture will also be published in the Journal of Business Ethics.

Professor Harris’ inaugural lecture, entitled Machiavelli and the Global Compass: Ends and Means in Ethics and Leadership, takes place at the Beswick Lecture Theatre on the University’s Chester campus on Thursday, February 18 at 7pm. It is preceded by tea and coffee in the Beswick Foyer from 6.30pm and followed by a drink. Tickets are free, but places must be booked in advance by calling 01244 513240 or by emailing l.baguley@chester.ac.uk

ENDS