This is a three page paper summarizing Machiavelli's The Prince. The paper has an introduction and conclusion offering some historical context and mentions how the book applies to the modern world. The summary goes through the book and uses quotes when possible and necessary. An online version of the text is used for easy searching. Machiavelli claims that leaders should be strong and decisive.
Machiavelli
In the sixteenth century, Florence was in a period of turmoil and political instability due to the clashes between different ruling elite. It was in this social and political climate that Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince. The book is a practical guide to world leadership. The author focuses on the qualities of successful and unsuccessful leaders, the nature of their actions and decisions, and how they can and should react to various situations when they arise in the political arena. Machiavelli uses historical examples to substantiate his claims, when possible. One of the defining features of Machiavelli's The Prince is that the author is primarily concerned with maintaining political order and stability, rather than on making ethical choices. This stems directly from the historical context of political instability in which Machiavelli wrote. Similarly, Machiavelli's primary concerns are for how leaders can remain strong and powerful in their domains and not with the rights of the citizens. The Prince is studied both for its content, in terms of what Machiavelli says about the nature of effective leadership and how that can be applied to contemporary issues; and also for its historical and philosophical interest.
Divided into 26 brief chapters, The Prince offers succinct information about each topic. Modern readers might compare it to a self-help guide, which can be applied to various situations. The first three chapters are about the different structures of "principalities" and republics. Machiavelli points out the difference between a ruler who has hereditary authority, versus a ruler of what the author calls a "new" principality. A "new principality" can be one that is "entirely new" or one that has been annexed to an existing principality. The author remains concerned primarily with principalities rather than republics, and Machiavelli points this out clearly in Chapter 2. In Chapter 2, the author claims that it is much easier to hold stable a hereditary state because the people are "long accustomed to the family of their prince," (Chapter 2). In Chapter 3, Machiavelli points out that it is easier to take over principalities that have strong centralized government and weak local authorities, versus ones with strong local authorities that might threaten, antagonize, or usurp the new leader.
Machiavelli suggests that strong leader be keen opportunists, taking advantage of weaknesses in order to conquer. For example, in Chapter 6, Machiavelli notes that people who are oppressed will be ripe for new leadership and the prince can take advantage of this situation. "It was necessary, therefore, to Moses that he should find the people of Israel in Egypt enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians, in order that they should be disposed to follow him so as to be delivered out of bondage," (Chapter 6). However, the author notes that when a prince comes to power too easily, it may be difficult to remain in power. "Those who solely by good fortune become princes from being private citizens have little trouble in rising, but much in keeping atop; they have not any difficulties on the way up, because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit," (Chapter 7). On the other hand, a prince who reaches the top via political struggle or war has proven strength and will therefore be a more feared and respected leader. Machiavelli also points out that when a prince rules in a civic society in which citizens expect a high degree of freedom, it is crucial to keep the citizens happy by being a good benefactor. When the citizens are happy, they are loyal.
In Chapter 14 of The Prince, Machiavelli is concerned with approaches to war. War is integral to leadership and foreign policy. As the author states, war is " the sole art that belongs to him who rules," (Chapter 14). Machiavelli urges leaders to read historical accounts of war, because one can learn from the past. Furthermore, it is always important to remain ready for war. "A wise prince ought…never in peaceful times stand idle, but increase his resources with industry in such a way that they may be available to him in adversity, so that if fortune changes it may find him prepared to resist her blows," (Chapter 14).
In Chapter 17, Machiavelli explores the question of whether it is better to be loved or feared by the people. Ideally, the leader is both feared and loved. Being feared is much more productive than being loved, because love is transient according to Machiavelli: "men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails," (Chapter 17). The most important thing, though, is to avoid being hated. Leaders who are hated will fall from power.
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