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 * The Prince Chapters V - IX**



Throughout these chapter, Machiavelli stresses a few main arguments for a leader to be sucessful. One important position that he takes is that in order for a ruler to be successful, he must be on friendly terms with the all the people, but still be feared by them. Machiavelli also states that a ruling principality will fail if he does not meet goals, dissapoints the people, acts rashly and unwisely, and is too soft with the people. A ruler will be successful in governing a people if he abides to these guidlines.
 * Underlying Arguments:**


 * Chapter V** begins by discussing the three ways to hold a state that has already been living under their own laws. The first step is to destroy the people. Then the leader must live amongst the people. At last, the ruler must keep the laws the people have been living under but create “an oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you.” A country that is ruled by a prince must remain free and friendly in order for the people to stay under control and avoid conflict. The Romans and Spartans were prime examples of these ways. The Spartans held Athens and Thebes and established an oligarchy. However, they did this before destroying the people and ended up losing them. The Romans, on the other hand, dismantled the people first and then created an oligarchy and did not lose their people. The Romans wanted to hold Greece as did the Spartans by letting them live under their own laws, but did not destroy the people initially. They lost the people and figured the only way to hold the citizens is to destroy them first. A prince that rules a city and becomes accustomed without destroying it will indeed be attacked by the city because the people do not fear him. “…he who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it, may expect to be destroyed by it...” When the people get used to having one family rule their country, and that family dies, the citizens struggle in finding a new leader. Because of this, it is harder for the people to build an army, while it is easier for the new dictator to conquer the citizens. In republics, there is more vengeance, “which will never permit them to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest.” In conclusion, the best way to rule the people is to destroy them.

Machiavelli stands behind his argument that people are by nature changeable. He says that people may be easily persuaded to change their view of a certain matter, and he also says that it is even harder to hold them to that persuasion due to how people are so changeable. Furthermore, Machiavelli states that a Prince should set lofty goals to imitate rulers of the past. If he achieves these goals, then he will be loved and appreciated by the people; if he fails, he will still be recognized for his efforts and he will be thought of as a strong and ambitious leader. Machiavelli takes the position that a prince “who has relied least on fortune is established the strongest.” Basically, he is saying that someone who has acquired a state by fortunate means will not have the prowess to maintain that state, whereas a prince who as acquired a state by strength will be better fit to control and govern that state due to his leader-like capabilities. Another argument that Machiavelli makes is if people oppose a prostitution of the new leader, “it may be possible to make them believe by force.” He is basically saying that using force on a population will persuade them because they are subject to the will of the prince. This will in effect make the prince strong, secure, and respected.
 * Chaper VI**

Not all Princes are born into power; some buy their way into power. When this situation occurs, the Prince is weak and does not know how to maintain their place. “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. Such are those to whom some state is given either for money or by the favour of him who bestows it”. Problems will arise with the people in which this type of Prince rules, because the people have no loyalty of respect for him. Therefore they can not command armies or keep their power. However, Princes who come to power by their own way achieve success due to a good foundation and a good fortune. They already have their base of rule built, so they can hold on to their power. A solid foundation is a crucial aspect to keep power. “If, therefore, all the steps taken by the duke be considered, it will be seen that he laid solid foundations for his future power”. Any opponents of a Prince must be eliminated to ensure the governed will follow.
 * Chapter VII**

Machiavelli makes the argument that a prince that comes to power by criminal acts will achieve power, but never glory. If he must use criminal acts, his, “injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less.” Machiavelli also takes the position that “benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavor of them may last longer.” It is in this sense that a prince should make his descisions wisely about the amount and time of cruely that he uses. Otherwise, he “is always compelled to keep the knife in his hand; neither can he rely on his subjects, nor can they attach themselves to him.” This is what a prince must try to steer away from. If he lives in fear of his life, he is not doing a sufficient job in ruling. Consequently, when a prince gains power by evil acts, he will achieve power but not glory due to the cruelty of the acts and how the people react to his actions.
 * Chapter VIII**

In chapter 9, Machiavelli furthers his arguments on how a prince can become a ruler and the different consequences of each scenario. Other than becoming a prince by force or violence, a prince can become leader through the favor of the people, whether it is by the nobles or the common people. The prince does not have to have genius qualities or good fortune; he just has to be liked by the people. In this case a prince is either chosen only by the noble or only by the people. It is rarely the case where both agree. If the nobles choose the leader, they pick someone from amongst themselves, because they believe only they are best fit for the job. However, of a noble is picked, he has more difficulty controlling the people because he surrounded by nobles who believe they are his equal. If the common citizens choose the leader, they will also choose from themselves because they believe they cannot rise to the level of the people. In the rare case where a leader is chosen strictly by popular vote, it is harder for him to rule because he is alone and there are few people who are prepared to obey him. According to Machiavelli, both cases have their pros and cons. A noble is more secure in his place because he is surrounded by people, however if these nobles are hostile, he should fear abandonment and mutiny of his people of against him. A noble must also seek the favor of the common people because they make up the majority of the people. A ruler from the people finds it easier to satisfy the people because they only have to stay friendly towards them. However a government led by the common people is weaker because if any trouble arises, it is easier to destroy the government. In conclusion, a ruler, no matter where they came from, must always seek the favor of the man because every man looks for the evil in their ruler. When something happens when something evil is expected, they “are bound more closely to their benefactor; thus the people quickly become more devoted to him than of he had been raised to the principality by their favours.”
 * Chapter IX**

[|The Prince Text]


 * __Part 2:__**

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