Main+Ideas

**Power**
 *  The two main ideas that are presented in //The Prince// are those of:

According to Machiavelli "greater difficulties occur in a new principality" and less "difficulties in holding hereditary states" (Machivelli II,1). This is due to the fact that members of the states are more attached to hereditary principalties because they are accustomed to the family and the ruler, hence he is able to transcend the customs of those who rule before him. In order for a new prince to preserve his rule it is crucial that he asserts his power. A prince can assert his power by maintaining friendly relations with the minor powers without increasing their strength and by not letting any strong foreign powers gain authority.


 * Example: Failure was brought upon King Louis because he "destroyed the minor power, he increased the strength of one of the greater powers in Italy, he brought in a foreign power (Machiavelli III, 3).**

According to Machiavalli principalities "are found to be governed in two diffrent ways: either by a prince, with a body of servants who assist him to govern the kingdom as ministers by his favour and permission; or by a prince and barons, who hold that dignity by antiquity of blood and not by the favor and grace of the prince" (Machiavelli IV, 5). "Such barons have states and subjects who recognize them as lords and hold them in natural affection" (Machiavelli IV, 5). With a body of servant is less likely that they will plot to take over the land holdings of the prince because he chose them himself; therefore they feel a great sense of loyalty towards him. On the other hand, if a prince has barons its is most likely that they will complot against the prince because they are placed in their position by lineage, feel no loyalty towards the prince, and they have followers of their own. Hence, to preserve his rule over the state, a prince is better off with a body of servants. The theme of power is brought up here due to the fact that by having a body of servants instead of barons, a prince is not giving one group too much power over his political affairs.


 * Example: The Turk and the King of France.
 * Over throwing the Turk proved to be a more ards task because he "shifts and changes power as he chooses"(Machiavelli IV, 5).
 * Over throwing the King of France would be an easier task because "one can easily enter there by gaining over some baron of the kingdom, for one always finds malcontents and such desire as a change." (Machiavelli IV, 5).**


 * Human Nature:**

Machiavelli states that "men change their rulers willingly, hoping to better themselves and this hope induces them to take up arms against he who rules"(Machiavelli III, 1). This can been seen as a comment that Machiavelli is taking towards human nature. In a way Machiavelli seems to be suggesting that it is in human nature to want change in order to obtain better conditions or privileges.


 * **Example: The King of France quickly lost Milan due to the fact that his subjects "findings themselves deceived in their hopes of future benefit, would not endure the ill-treatment of the new prince" (Machiavelli III, 2)**

Contracticting himself, Machiavelli later states it is in human nature to keep conditions as they are which is why herediatary prinicpalities are easier to mantain.


 * Example:**
 * ** "long accustomed to the family of their prince" (machiavelli II, 1).**
 * ** "trangess the customs of his ancestors, and deal prudently with circumstance as they arise" (Machiavelli II, 1).**
 * ** "reasonable to expect that his subjects will be naturally well disposed towards him" (Machiavelli II, 1).**