SCLL Flashcards
Machiavelli “The Prince” dedicated his book to
Lorenzo De Medici
Which Principality is the easiest to maintain ?
Hereditary Principality
What is a New Principality?
Private subject creates his own rulership and accquires land and becomes ruler.
What is a Mixed Principality?
The person is already a prince and moves around to acquire a new land
What is a Hereditary Principality?
The prince inherits the state under his rulership
What is Fortune according to Machavelli?
Pure Luck
What is Virtue according to Machavelli?
Courage, Bravery, Intelligence, True Skill—-THE ABILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
What is Prudence according to Machavelli?
Foresight. The ability to avoid issues in the future.
When you conquer a place, what are the four things you should do?
1) Kill the Bloodline of the former prince
2) Go live there
3) Make colonist go live there
4)Indulge in Lesser Powers–Take over large powers in the areas and become friendly with smaller states
What is a principality?
A prince rules over a state
What is a republic?
Citizens are elected to govern
What are a few things that Machiavelli states Rulers should NOT do?
1) Change rules and laws
2)take over nations with not the same customs or language
Who does Machiavelli state have “lack of excellence” with conquering Italy?
Louis XI (King of France)
How did Machiavelli state how Successful Alexander the Great’s Reign was?
By the rulership of a prince and his ministers who are slaves, leading alexander(who died) and the prince with great authority.
How are Turkish Empires ruled?
By its prince and the ministers.
What is Prowess?
Skill and Tactics used by rulers (intelligence)
Why are Nobles an issue in Principalities?
Because Nobles are more prone to being bribed and raising insurrections.
What are three ways Machiavelli says you can take control?
1) Live there
2)Destroy the state
3) Create an oligarchy of people who are loyal to you
Why are republics more prone to rebellion?
Because they are used to the lack of freedom and can decide to rebel eventually.
How did Machiavelli mention Cyrus and Romulus?
He mentioned them in a positive way to demonstrate prowess and “acquired and founded” kingdoms. Their fortune was only 1/2 of their success but their prowess allowed for the opportunities and prosperous states to continue.
What is the most difficult thing to handle in an acquired state?
The danger of the changing of the laws or changes in the constitution.
What did Machiavelli state Cyrus and Romulus used?
The threat of Armed Forces
Does Machiavelli want rulers to depend on others or not depend on other’s resources?
To not depend on other’s resources and stand alone (depends).
What should rulers avoid?
Leaving matters of warfare and politics to chance.
Should a ruler do everything–even if immoral or wrong– to secure their state?
YES
What is a pragmatic approach to ruling?
A more blunt, realistic idea to ruling
What does the ruler have to depend on from the people?
Their benevolence and Goodwill
What is more stable, Fortune or Virtue?
Virtue. Luck is fickle and if you can depend on fortune less, the better your rule is.
A new ruler who is in power due to fortune can maintain his rule with little or a lot of effort?
With little effort/exertion.
What is a part of the foundation for a good, stable state? (IF Possible, Last Resort)
Fortune and Prowess (work in tandem)
Between Francezco and Borgia, which one was by prowess and either fortune?
Francesco: Prowess
Borgia: Fortune from Dad (Pope Alexander XI)
Although Borgia eventually failed, what did Machiavelli praise them for?
For their strong foundation through fortune. This includes making allies with the troops and winning the good will of his subjects.
What did Machiavelli praise Pope Alexander XI for?
For taking advantage of the disorder in Italy.
How did Borgia secure the Romangia?
By killing its oppressors and earning the friendship of the citizens.
What is Borgia perceived as?
Victim of Misfortune despite his prowess
What does Machiavelli praise Borgia for?
For securing the people’s loyalty through love and fear. (Prowess)
What is the one criticism of Borgia?
Julius II reign. (Spanish cardinal should’ve been put into power)
What is important about Agacythocles?
His “murderer and criminal” mentality that massacred the people and seized the government of Syracuse.
Is agacyhtoles a prowess leader?
NO!! His position was secured by “treacherous” methods.
Why is Oliverotto Important?
Another modern example of Oliverrto’s troops killing Folgani people and gaining power. He established new military and legal institutions.
What is Lucky Astuteness?
The goodwill of the people to be able to rule without fortune or prowess
What are the two opposing ambitions
People and the Nobles
What are two considerations of Nobles?
1) The nobles depend on the prince’s fortune
2)The Nobles do NOT depend on Prince’s fortune
Does the citizens being dependent on the Prince make for a stronger foundation?
YES
Dependence breeds??
Loyalty (Symbiotic relationship between the people and the prince)
What did Machiavelli praise Borgia for?
Gaining trust of his subjects and winning over Romania.
What did Machiavelli praise Alexander VI for?
Inciting disorder in Italy.
Borgia used what successfully?
Skillful war tactics.
Who is Francesco Sforza?
Duke of Milan who used prowess and opportunity to subjugate Milan.
Who is Agathcoles?
Secured Syracuse and behaved like a criminal for his spot.
What did Oliveretto do?
Kill people at a dinner in cold blood with seizing Ferno.
What is lucky “astuteness”?
Rising to power without fortune or prowess. A Ruler who gains power through favor of his fellow citizens.
What are two ways people a prince can secure his state and status? (Chapter 10)
By good warfare and use of arms and goodwill of the people.
Who does Machiavelli give props to when it comes to fortifying towns/states?
Germans
What is an ecceslestial principlaity?
won by prowess or fortune by is not kept by neither. State is secured by religious institutions.
What type of states are free from rebellion and secure and happy?
Eccelestial Principality
Who singlehandedly enhanced the earthly power of the church?
Alexander XI with crushing the power of Orsini and Colonna.
What three states maintained sovereignty by raising their own armies? (Chapter 12)
Romans, Swiss, and Spartans
What troops are deemed useless?
Mercenary and Auxillary
Italy lack of ____ and ______ led to their downfall.
Good arms and experience
What are auxiliaries?
Troops from a foreign source, used in your defense.
Who was illustrated for the dangers of auxillaries?
Pope Julius II(successor of Borgia)
Cesare Borgia gained great respect for what?
For switching from auxilliary troops to mercenary troops in which he mastered his own armies.
What should a ruler prioritize?
Good arms and warefare (art of war)
What is sometimes needed to secure rule?
Vices or immoral things
What will lead to grief?
Generosity
A prince should be ___ but can reward those if need be.
Frugal
