Expectation-Relationship

Came across a quote from Machiavelli Once you know a man's ambition, if you can assist it, he becomes beholden to you. Quite an apt one for our CRM world. Heard a lot on "knowing your customers' needs and expectations" in dealing in business relationship. But more apt in a corporate world where it is a day-to-day job in getting things done...at subordinate level, superior level, peer level and peers' subordinate level. A pithy jargon in our world to Machiavelli's words is Collaboration. However, the second part of the quote should not be part of personal relationship. I include only family and friends in personal relationship definition. This should be based on knowing and empathic understanding. And assist in whatever, whenever and wherever the need arises without any expectations. Question is that, does Machiavelli's quote apply to the political governance? Surely, citizens are the only customers for our politicians. In my view the answer is No, especially in Indian political scenario.