The Prince By Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1532) Essays -

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1532) The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1532) Type of Work: Political and philosophical discourse Book Overveiw "It is customary for those who wish to gain the favour of a prince to endeavour to do so by offering him gifts of those things which they hold most precious." To Machiavelli, his own most precious possession was the "knowledge of great men," which he acquired through experience and "constant study." He offered his guiding gift of knowledge to his prince, Lorenzo the Magnificent Di Medici. "All states and dominions which hold or have held sway over mankind are either republics or monarchies." Thus begins his primer for princes, combining his detailed training, logic and imagination to teach how political power may be obtained and "how the various kinds of monarchies can be governed and maintained." For the monarch who acquires a new state, there are many difficulties. According to Machiavelli, "Men change masters willingly [but a prince will] find enemies in all those whom you have injured by occupying that dominion." Moreover, those who have helped you in taking the new territory will stray from your camp because you cannot fulfill their expectations nor can you "use strong measures against them." Hence, "you will always need the favour of the inhabitants to take possession of a province." If a prince has the support of his new subjects, his position will be relatively secure. When new provinces share the same nationality and language as the prince's main dominion, then "it is very easy to hold them." However, if great differences in language and customs exist, "the difficulties to be overcome are great." The best way to overcome such differences is for the new ruler to set up residence in the principality. This enables a prince to keep close watch on his state and to quickly resolve any troubles as they arise. The next best option is to "plant colonies in one or two key places." Colonies have several advantages: They are inexpensive and are far "more faithful, and give less offence," because those few landowners who are dispossessed are too weak and scattered to fight back. Maintaining a new state by posting armed guards is the least favorable method. "The kingdoms known to history have been governed in two ways: either by a prince and his servants [ministers]; or by a prince and by barons." In the latter case, ruling is burdensome; barons have subjects of their own and are accustomed to exerting authority. In conquering a state, a prince can easily find barons who will join a movement to overthrow their king; but once the region is conquered it will be difficult to hold, since the barons may again band together to overthrow their new prince. On the other hand, "in those states which are governed by a prince and his servants, the prince possesses more authority." Princes acquire power by a number of methods: by good fortune, ability, villainy, or by "the favour of his fellow-citizens, which may be called a civic principality." If a villain-prince conquers a state, he "must arrange to commit all his cruelties at once, so as not to have to recur to them everyday and so as to be able ... to reassure people and win them over by benefiting them." In instances when a prince has been elevated to power by his fellow-citizens, authority is conferred either by the aristocracy or by the populace. However, " he who becomes prince by help of the aristocracy has greater difficulty in maintaining his power than he who is raised by the populace," for the aristocracy rarely relinquishes complete power and often has the means to usurp a prince's authority. The wise prince gains and maintains control of principalities both by "good laws and good arms."For these reasons an understanding of the various types of armies is essential. "The arms by which a prince defends his possessions are either his own, or else mercenaries, auxiliaries, or mixed." It is a mistake to employ mercenaries. They are"useless and dangerous" and cannot be trusted; "disunited, ambitious, without discipline, faithless ... they have no fear of God and keep no faith with men." Likewise with the services of auxiliaries (powerful neighboring troops used for defense). Except in the most extreme case, it is wise to shy away from their aid. "If any one ... wants to make sure of not winning he will avail himself of troops such as these." Both mercenary and auxiliary armies can turn on a prince: "If they lose, you are defeated, and if they conquer, you remain their prisoner." His own subjects serve