Machiavelli

Question 1

what is the art of politics

Answer 1

• leader must be able to implement new rules and regulations for consolidation purposes
• have own abilities to overcome challenges as reformers have enemies from old elites; there will be lukewarm defense from elites benefiting to the new system (enemies either way)
• “they remain powerful & secure, honoured & happy”
• emulate cesare borgia (great courage and ambition, model of leadership per machiavelli)

maintain friendship with elites

Question 2

what is their advice to leaders

Answer 2

• commit all cruelties at once & should not be recurring (kill in one go)
• benefits should be granted little by little to be better enjoyed
• live with subjects so he would not be able to lose power
• easier to be elected by people than to be selected by nobility bec they are difficult to be satisfied (corruption)
• “necessary for a prince to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it, accd to the necessity of the case”
• prince must be prudent to avoid scandals which can make him lose the state
• prince must avoid being hated and liberality will lead to that condition (be kuripot=disgrace; than greedy=disgrace & hatred)
• one should be both feared and loved; if not possible, it is better to be feared than loved, if one of the two must be wanting (love is held by obligation w/c is easily broken; fear is by punishment) but prince should not be hated by not interfering with private property nor women
• taking of life must be justified; easier for men to forget this than to mess with one’s property
• a leader should be able to rule with astuteness than good faith although laudable if leaders act on good faith

Question 3

what are the methods of fighting as advice to leaders

Answer 3

law=men
force=beasts
(needs both)
never let thoughts stray from exercise of war; practice thoughts in peace more than war (always on war/survival mode) thru action=disciplined men, exercising, hunting, therefore accustomed to hardships; and study=nature of land, valleys, plains (geography)

when to act as fox=recognize traps; lion=frieghten wolves; necessary for a leader to disguise his traits well (related to alexander VI)
not necessary for a prince to be merciful, faithful, sincere, humane, and religious but necessary to seem to have them

they should not know anything against you