The Prince Group

Question:

shelly1231
shelly1231
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In "The Prince," what does Machiavelli say is the best way to maintain herediatry, mixed, civil, and ecclesiastical principalities?

Please answer HOW to maintain these things not the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining theses principalities.

Thank You

Rate question:

Posted by shelly1231 on Saturday June 7, 2008 at 2:52 PM and tagged with characters, machiavelli, the prince, themes.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    On heredity principalities, Machiavelli says:

    "I say at once there are fewer difficulties in holding hereditary states, and those long accustomed to the family of their prince, than new ones;" (Machiavelli, pg. 10) 

    Here he suggests that hereditary principalities are easier to maintain because a ruling family develops a relationship with the people and unless the ruler exhibits some extraordinary vices, the people will continue to love him.

    New principalities are harder to govern, Machiavelli states. The new ruler must conquer territory in this process he will make enemies.  He must make his enemies in the new territories his allies by giving them something to make them happy.  It is also important for the new ruler to live in the conquered territory, so that he can observe problems, solve them quickly, before they become unmanageable. 

    "in entering a province one has always need of the goodwill of the natives." (Machiavelli, pg. 11)

    In a civil principality, an ordinary citizen can become a ruler with the help of his fellow citizens. 

    "one ascends to the principality, or when by the favour of his fellow-citizens a private person becomes the prince of his country." (Machiavelli, pg. 25)

    This leader must stay in close contact with the people that put him in power, and not get too close to the nobles.  He should always seek the goodwill of the people. 

     

    Sources:
    http://www.gutenberg.org/etext

    Rate answer:

    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Saturday June 7, 2008 at 5:50 PM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    (continued from previous answer) 

    "now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities, touching which all difficulties are prior to getting possession, because they are acquired either by capacity or good fortune, and they can be held without either; for they are sustained by the ancient ordinances of religion, which are so all-powerful, and of such a character that the principalities may be held no matter how their princes behave and live." (Machiavelli, pg. 30)

    Machiavelli suggests that ecclesiastical principalities are easy to maintain because they are governed by religion.  The authority of the leader comes from God, so it is not questioned by the governed. 

    Sources:
    http://www.gutenberg.org/etext

    Rate answer:

    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Saturday June 7, 2008 at 5:50 PM

  3. roma72
    roma72 Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    look on pages 34, 36-37, 63-64, and 69 for complete answers

    Rate answer:

    Posted by roma72 on Sunday June 8, 2008 at 11:46 AM