Machiavelli

The Prince + Discourses

purpose of “the prince”?

a practical manual for rulers on how to gain and keep political power. Less about moral ideas, more about what actually works (realist language).

human nature (the prince)

assumes people are self-interested. They’ll support you when it is convenient, switch sides when it isn’t, and resent you if you take their property or honour. Smart rulers plan around this

Virtu vs. fortuna

virtu is a leader's skill, decisiveness, boldness, and ability to shape events. Fortuna is luck or circumstance. The best rulers do not rely on luck; they act boldly and adapt quickly.

Better to be feared or loved?

Both are good, but you cannot have both. Fear is more reliable, as long as you avoid being hated. 

How to maintain power (the prince)

do not rely too much on mercenaries or outside forces. Understand your territory and deal directly with the people you rule. Punish threats quickly and clearly; reward loyalty strategically. 

Appearance matters

a ruler doesn’t actually need to be morally good - he just needs to appear good. Reputation protects power more than virtue itself 

Cruelty, violence and necessity

Machiavelli is blunt: sometimes harsh actions are necessary. The key is to use force swiftly and at once, then shift back to stability and order - Machiavelli is known as the theorist of ruthlessness. 

Political stability

a leader should focus on maintaining the state above all else. Security and unity justify actions that might otherwise be considered immoral. He looked at history and what worked - imitated that. 

Main question Machiavelli asked in the prince?

 how do we establish political stability? 

purpose of the discourse? 

 unlike the prince, written for a ruler, discourses explores how republics work and how they maintain liberty. It’s much more pro-people, and civic minded. 

Republics > principalities

Machiavelli argues that a well-designed republic is more stable, more just, and more successful over time than a monarchy. 

Conflict is healthy

tension between elites and people isn’t a danger; it is a source of freedom. Well-structured conflict- through laws, institutions and checks keeps any group from dominating 

The people are wiser than elites

given the choice, the masses usually want security and fairness. Elites tend to want power. This shapes how laws should be written: protect ordinary people, restrain the powerful. 

Virtue and civic responsibility

 a strong republic demands on citizens who are active, engaged, and willing to put the common good above personal gain. Corruption is what destroys republics. 

Military and civic strength

a republic should rely on its own citizen-army, not mercenaries. Military discipline reflects societal discipline.

Fortune still matters, but institutions matter more

 republics can’t rely on one “great leader” the way princes can. Instead, they need solid laws and institutions that guide behaviour even when leaders are mediocre.

Expansion and security

 rome is machiavelli’s main model. Its success came from flexible institutions, mixed government (people + senate + consuls), and citizenship that expanded over time.