The prince by Nicolás Machiavelli

Hello fellow of Cyberspace, today I want to talk about this book Twenty Years After

by Alexandre Dumas.

Hope you like

Title of the work: The prince

Original title: Il principe

Author's name: Nicolás Machiavelli

Original language: Italian

Genre: Political Treaty and Political Science

Publisher: Nicolás Maquiavelo

Current edition year: 2008

Years of editions: 2008

Year of reading: 2004, 2010, 2018

Additional Information:

I have read this book several times and I always like it, it is a book that has to be read more than once as it will always modify your prospective.

For me the best achievement of Machiavelli, is that when he makes this treaty does not go around the bush, or tries to sell us a chimera, Machiavelli is able to identify the problem and give a more or less viable solution in most cases. (since today you do not let us eliminate our enemies in a definitive way) he has studied the human condition and gives solutions to the most common problems, it is true that I am not in front of a nation, even so and anyway When you interact or do business with other humans, this treatise by Machiavelli is perfect because it allows you to decipher the intentions of your neighbor and even when these intentions are very well hidden, the knowledge that Machiavelli offers us allows you to see that something is not going well and prepare for adversity, forcing you to ask yourself what in your acting force before an adverse event, fortuitous or positive.

Abstract of the work:

Matter: New principalities (chapters 1 and 2)

The prince begins by describing the subject he will handle. In the first sentence, Machiavelli uses the word "State" (in Italian Stato, which could also mean "state") to neutrally cover "all forms of organization of supreme political power, whether republican or princely." The way in which the word "State" acquired this modern type of meaning during the Renaissance has been the object of many academic discussions, and this and similar sentences in Machiavelli's works are considered particularly important

Mixed Principalities (Chapters 3-5)

The new principalities are entirely new or principalities built on the basis of previous ones, which means that they are new parts of an earlier state, which already belong to that prince.

Conquered kingdoms (chapter 4)

In this chapter, Machiavelli refers to the nature of the conquered kingdoms and how this can be decisive for their conquest and possession; for which he illustrates two concrete examples.

Free conquered states, with their own laws and orders (chapter 5)

Gilbert (1938, p.34) points out that this chapter is quite atypical of any previous book for princes. Gilbert assumed that the need to discuss the conquest of free republics is linked to Machiavelli's project of uniting Italy, which contained some free republics. As he also points out, the chapter, in any case, makes it clear that maintaining that state is very difficult for a prince. Machiavelli gives three options:

Destroy them, as Rome destroyed Carthage, and also as Machiavelli says that the Romans finally had to do in Greece, even though they had wanted to avoid it.

Fix your place of residence there (or install colonies, if you are a prince of a republic).

Allow them to maintain their own orders but install a puppet regime, the worst option of all according to the author.

Completely new states (chapters 6-9)

Conquests in virtue (chapter 6)

Princes who rise to power through their own abilities and resources (their "virtue") instead of luck tend to have difficulty reaching the top, but once they reach the top, they are very secure in their position . This is because they effectively crush their opponents and earn great respect from everyone else. Because they are strong and more self-sufficient, they have to make fewer commitments to their allies.

Conquest by fortune, that is, by the virtue of another person (chapter 7)

According to Machiavelli, when a prince comes to power through the fate or blessings of powerful figures within the regime, it is usually easy for him to gain power, but he has difficulty maintaining it afterwards, because his power depends on the goodwill of his people. benefactors. He does not order the loyalty of the armies and officers who maintain his authority, and these can be withdrawn from him at will. Having gotten up in the easiest way, it is not even safe for a prince to have the ability and the strength to stand on his own feet.

Become a prince by the selection of his fellow citizens (chapter 9)

A "civil principality" is one in which a citizen comes to power "not through crime or other intolerable violence", but through the support of his fellow citizens. This, he says, does not require virtues or extreme fortunes, only "lucky astuteness."

How to judge the strength of principalities (chapter 10)

The way to judge the strength of a principality is to see if it can defend itself or if it needs to depend on allies. This does not only mean that cities must be prepared and trained people; A prince who is hated is also exposed.

Ecclesiastical principles (chapter 11)

This type of "principality" refers, for example, explicitly to the Catholic Church, which of course is not traditionally considered a principality. According to Machiavelli, these are relatively easy to maintain, once founded. They do not need to defend themselves militarily, nor govern their subjects.

Defense and military (chapter 12-14)

Having discussed the various types of principalities, Machiavelli resorts to the ways in which a state can attack other territories or defend itself. The two most essential foundations for any State, whether old or new, are strong laws and strong military forces. A self-sufficient prince is one who can face any enemy on the battlefield. He should be "armed" with his own arms. However, a prince who relies solely on fortifications or the help of others and becomes defensive is not self-sufficient. If he can not form a formidable army, but must rely on defense, he must fortify his city. It is unlikely that a well-fortified city will be attacked, and if it is, most armies can not withstand a prolonged siege. However, during a siege, a virtuous prince will keep the morale of his subjects high while eliminating all dissenters. Therefore, as long as the city is adequately defended and has sufficient supplies, a wise prince can withstand any siege.

The qualities of a prince (chapters 14-19)

Each of the following chapters presents a discussion about a particular virtue or vice that a prince might have, and therefore is structured so that it appears as a traditional advice for a prince. However, the advice is far from traditional

If dominant conquests with strengths work (Chapter 20)

Machiavelli mentions that the placement of fortresses in the conquered territories, although sometimes it works, often fails. Using strengths may be a good plan, but Machiavelli says he must "blame anyone who, trusting in strengths, thinks little about being hated by people." He cited Caterina Sforza, who used a fortress to defend herself but was eventually betrayed by her people.

Earn honors (Chapter 21)

A prince really gains honor by completing great feats. King Ferdinand of Spain is cited by Machiavelli as an example of a monarch who gained esteem by showing his skill through great deeds and who, in the name of religion, conquered many territories and kept his subjects occupied so that they had no chance to rebel . With respect to two states in conflict, Machiavelli affirms that it is always smarter to choose a side, instead of being neutral. Machiavelli provides the following reasons why:

If your allies win, you benefit if you have more power than they have.

If you are more powerful, then your allies are under your command; If your allies are stronger, they will always feel a certain obligation to you for your help.

If your side loses, you still have an ally in the loser.

Machiavelli also points out that it is wise for a prince not to ally himself with a stronger force unless he is obligated to do so. In conclusion, the most important virtue is to have the wisdom to discern which companies will come with the greatest reward and then pursue them with courage.

Nobles and staff (chapter 22)

The selection of good servants is directly reflected in the intelligence of the prince, so if they are loyal, the prince considers himself wise; however, when they are otherwise, the prince is open to adverse criticism. Machiavelli affirms that there are three types of intelligence:

The guy who understands things for himself, who is excellent to have.

The kind that understands what others can understand, what is good to have.

The kind that does not understand by itself, nor through others, that it is useless to have.

If the prince does not have the first kind of intelligence, at least he should have the second type. Because, as Machiavelli says, "a prince needs to have the discernment to recognize the good or the bad in what another says or does, even if he himself does not have insight."

Avoiding sycophants (chapter 23)

This chapter shows a low opinion of sycophants; Machiavelli notes that "men are so happily absorbed in their own affairs and indulge in such self-deception that it is difficult for them not to be victims of this plague; and some efforts to protect themselves from sycophants imply the risk of being despised. "

Why the princes of Italy lost their states (chapter 24)

After mentioning for the first time that a new prince can become as respected as a hereditary one, Machiavelli says that the princes in Italy who had long-standing power and lost him can not blame bad luck, but should blame his own indolence. One "should never fall into the belief that you can find someone to pick you up." All showed a weapons defect (already discussed) and either had a hostile population or did not know how to make sure with the big ones.

Fortune (chapter 25)

As Gilbert (1938) pointed out, it was traditional in the princely literary genre to mention fortune, but "fortune invades the prince, since she does no other similar work".

Exhortation to seize Italy and free it from the barbarians (chapter 26)

Pope Leo X at the time the book was written was a member of the Medici family. This chapter appeals directly to the Medici to use what has been summarized to conquer Italy with Italian armies, following the advice of the book.