Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince

Chapter I

Machiavelli recognizes the dominions or states in either “republics” or “principalities”. He further divided principalities into new principalities and hereditary principalities. For new principalities, Machiavelli presented the example of Francesco Sforzan of Milan, and for hereditary principalities, he gave the example of King Ferdinand II of Spain. By ability or fortune, a prince can attain a new principality or hereditary.

Chapter II

According to Machiavelli, it's easier and simpler to rule a hereditary state than new principalities. In hereditary state, people are already accustomed to the maintained rules and if the new prince weakens, it can regain its powers easily. The hereditary prince only has to keep the institutions running and making minor changes with the changing demands and need of the events. Unless the new prince is unusually cruel, it is less time taking to acquire the love and affection of the people in a hereditary state than new principalities.



Chapter III

In new or mixed principalities, it is not easy to govern; people expect the new leader to be better than the previous one. History explains that most of the times leader failed to fulfill the expectations because they have to be cautious to the leader overthrown and at the same time they have to gratify those who brought them to power.

Chapter IV

Principality can be governed in two ways. Either the prince appoints ministers or collaborates with nobles. Nobles have subjects of their own and are of ancient lineage. From these two scenarios, appointing ministers is beneficial for the prince as he will be the sole ruler of the country. It is easy to conquer a country ruled by nobles but it's difficult to maintain control as killing the former ruler will not be enough to stop further revolt.

Chapter V

Machiavelli describes ways to grasp states that have been living under their own laws.. One is to demolish them. The second is for the conqueror to occupy them. The third is to maintain their laws but levy taxes on them. Thus, as far as the objective is not to demolish the other state, it is easiest to rule it by its own citizens.

Chapter VI

Machiavelli remarks that determined men often replicate other prominent men. Machiavelli believes that ordinary citizens can become a prince by their ability or their fortune. Machiavelli presented the list of those who princes through their ability. The list includes Moses, Romulus, Cyrus and Theseus. After getting the power through the ability, princes' abilities allow them to rule fluently. Machiavelli examines that most of armed prophets have accomplished something and most of unarmed one have failed.

Chapter VII

Machiavelli then focuses on citizens who gained the power through fortune (through bribery or a bestowed gift) rather than their ability. These princes certainly face problems and hardships in preserving their rule. Without a loyal army, a prince of a new state that relies on fortune does not have a good chance of surviving. Apart from having a loyal army, a prince must abolish the rival leaders ...