![]() Men will always retaliate if slightly injured however, they will remain silent if greatly injured. Offering some colonies houses at the expense of others amounts to caressing the former while annihilating the latter. Therefore, colonies, “cost nothing, are more faithful, and give less offence…men must either be caressed or else annihilated.” (Machiavelli 8). On the other side, those given new homes will not rebel for fear of being dispossessed too. Therefore, the disposed remain hapless and scattered and people in this state can never think of rebelling against the prince for lack of resources and strength. For one, in the process of making colonies, some people will be disposed of their houses, which will be given to new habitants. However, Machiavelli prefers establishment of colonies to deploying armed men.Ĭolonies would cost a prince nothing. Alternatively, if living amongst his subjects proves tricky, a prince may consider keeping armed men across his empire or establish several colonies in different places of his empire. Additionally, this strategy excludes malicious officials who may spoil Prince’s reputation and good governance. This ensures that any discontentment is noticed early and addressed before it becomes a crisis. Moreover, a prince may decide to reside amongst these new states to assure them security, just as Turkey did in Greece. With former rulers silenced and unaltered tax regulations, subjects would remain calm. The fact that there is a problem is a confirmation of existence of an answer.įor the annexed state to stand firm, two conditions should prevail “the blood of their old rulers is extinct and make no alteration either in their laws or in their taxes” (Machiavelli 7). If these states are of different nationality and language, then chances of survival are slim. Machiavelli observes that, if different states are annexed to an existing one, chances of survival depends on two factors viz. One of the greatest threats of a kingdom is annexation. Nevertheless, Machiavelli notes there are ways a prince may lose a territory a second time under some conditions as exposited next. This is what princes should take into consideration if they are to conquer and rule. This explains why after Ludovico regained possession of Milan, Louis XII could not overthrow him a second time. Machiavelli notes that losing a territory the first time is not difficult however, after regaining it, to lose it a second time becomes insurmountable because a prince can now punish rebels, strengthen weaknesses, and probe any insurgence before things get out of hand. This ensures a prince gets allegiance from grassroots.Īctually, Louis XII of France lost his possession in Italy to Ludovico because the inhabitants preferred Ludovico to Louis XII. Therefore, to ensure that a prince has absolute control over his juniors, he requires the “favor of the inhabitants to take possession over a province” (Machiavelli 5). To princes, Machiavelli cautions that, after overpowering their rebellious juniors, they cannot afford to remain friends with those who helped them in the battle because sooner than later the princes will not meet these people’s expectation. Unfortunately, Machiavelli notes that, this shallow thinking works against the perpetrators because they lack experience. Naturally, men would wish to change rulers or overthrow them for their own benefits. Machiavelli notes that, governance problems are prevalent amongst new and mixed monarchies. This paper tackles mixed monarchies as exposited in The Prince. Machiavelli does not advocate for law, rather he calls for use of power to rule. This treatise examines attainment, protraction, and application of political power that was prominent in the western world in the sixteenth century. He makes it clear that, as long as a state is stable, the means of maintaining this stability should not be questioned even if they are cruel. ![]()
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