Machiavelli’s The Prince

About The Prince

The Prince is written within the context of the Italian Renaissance, a time of great artistic, scientific, and literary activity. Italy, known for its wealth, sophistication, and cultural richness, was the intellectual hub of the Western world. Scholars and artists from across Europe were drawn to Italy to experience its vibrant atmosphere. Even today, the works of Italian artists and thinkers are celebrated for their beauty and innovation. Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci lived during Machiavelli's time, and Florence, with its renowned cathedral, was a center of Renaissance art.

The Italian Renaissance was also a time of religious upheaval. The Catholic Church's corruption, exemplified by Pope Alexander VI, led to a reaction against its authority. In Germany, the Protestant Reformation was gaining momentum under the leadership of Martin Luther. Politically, change was also afoot. The fragmented feudal territories of the medieval era were gradually consolidating under centralized leadership, forming the outlines of modern European nations. The modern concept of the state emerged during this period, and war was a crucial tool for rulers seeking to unify their nations. The intricacies of European politics during this time could fill volumes.

The Prince presents a world seen through a pessimistic and cynical lens.

To fully understand The Prince, it's helpful to know a bit about the complex history of foreign involvement in Italy. Italy's repeated humiliations from invasions and internal betrayals caused great resentment among many Italian thinkers. This situation led Machiavelli to passionately advocate for a strong leader to liberate Italy from foreign domination in Chapter 26.

Italy was comprised of five major political entities: Florence, Milan, Venice, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of Naples. Naples, in particular, had a troubled history, with France, Spain, and the papacy vying for control. Before 1494, Italy enjoyed a period of relative peace and prosperity, as the various Italian powers were more or less balanced against one another.

The events that disrupted Machiavelli's time began when Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, invited the French army into Italy. Sforza promised to support France's claim to the Kingdom of Naples in exchange for French help in conquering Venetian territory. In 1494, King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy. Despite being forced out within a year by an Italian coalition that Sforza himself joined, Charles faced minimal resistance upon his initial entry. Machiavelli points out this fact in Chapter 12, noting that Charles was able to conquer Italy with no more than a piece of chalk.

A few years after Charles VIII, his successor, King Louis XII, also had aspirations in Italy. Louis claimed a hereditary right to the Duchy of Milan through his connection to the Visconti family, the previous rulers of Milan. Louis' interest in Italian territory aligned with the ambitions of the powerful Borgia family. Pope Alexander VI, born Rodrigo Borgia, desired to elevate his son Cesare to a position of power in Italy and sought French assistance. In exchange for these favors, Louis agreed to help Alexander and Cesare conquer the Romagna region and launch a campaign against the Kingdom of Naples, which both France and the pope claimed. The Venetians, seeking revenge against Sforza and Milan, encouraged Louis to invade. Louis successfully invaded and captured Milan from Sforza in 1499, a turn of events that many considered poetic justice given Sforza's role in inviting the French into Italy in the first place.

Louis XII's control over Naples was tenuous. He initially appointed his cousin, Frederick of Aragon, as a puppet ruler but secretly agreed to divide Naples with King Ferdinand of Spain, who also claimed a hereditary right to the kingdom. Ferdinand, however, broke this agreement and expelled the French forces from Naples. Despite this, France still held significant territory in Italy. Cesare Borgia, following his successes in the Romagna region, might have posed a threat to French power in Italy. However, his father's unexpected death left him without resources or influence."

After the brief reign of Pope Pius III, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere became Pope Julius II in 1503. Machiavelli frequently mentions Julius in his work. While Julius was as ambitious and warlike as Alexander VI, his primary goal was to strengthen the Church, not his family. Unlike Alexander, Julius was financially prudent and disciplined. He was also a skilled politician.

After the decline of Borgia power, Venice seized part of the Romagna region, which traditionally belonged to the papacy, and also challenged Julius' spiritual authority. In 1508, Julius formed the League of Cambrai, an alliance with France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire, to curb Venetian power. The Venetians were defeated at the Battle of Agnadello, and they lost their conquered territories. Fearing French dominance in Italy, Julius later worked to expel the French. Despite several opportunities to take advantage of Julius, Louis never pressed his advantage, a move that Machiavelli criticizes. Julius' efforts culminated in the Holy League, an alliance of Venetians, the Holy Roman Empire, the Swiss, the English, and the Spanish. Despite a devastating defeat at the Battle of Ravenna, the League eventually drove out Louis and his armies in 1512, ending French influence in Italy. Machiavelli alludes to this in Chapter 3 of The Prince, stating that it required the combined efforts of the entire world to deprive Louis XII of his Italian conquests.

The Florentines had a long-standing alliance with the French. The Soderini government continued to support Louis even as French forces were withdrawing from Italy, despite receiving advice against doing so. Their loyalty left them vulnerable to Pope Julius and his Spanish allies, leading directly to the downfall of the Florentine republic, where Machiavelli had served for many years.

Book Summary

The Prince is an in-depth examination of how to gain and maintain political power. It consists of 26 chapters and a dedication to Lorenzo de Medici. In the dedication, Machiavelli states his intention to discuss the actions of great men and the principles of princely government in a clear and straightforward manner. He hopes to please and enlighten the Medici family with his work.

The book's 26 chapters can be divided into four sections: Chapters 1-11 discuss various types of principalities or states, Chapters 12-14 focus on different types of armies and the proper conduct of a prince as a military leader, Chapters 15-23 examine the character and behavior of the prince, and Chapters 24-26 address Italy's dire political situation. The final chapter urges the Medici family to produce a prince who can lead Italy out of its humiliation.

Machiavelli identifies four types of principalities:

a.       Hereditary principalities, which are passed down through a family line.

b.       Mixed principalities, which are acquired by adding new territories to an existing domain.

c.       New principalities, which can be obtained through various means: personal power, the power of others, extreme cruelty, or the will of the people (civic principalities).

d.       Ecclesiastical principalities, such as the Papal States, which belong to the Catholic Church.

A prince must prioritize military matters to maintain power. Machiavelli identifies four types of armies:

a.       Mercenaries or hired soldiers, which are risky and untrustworthy.

b.       Auxiliaries, troops provided by other rulers, which are also risky and untrustworthy.

c.       Native troops, composed of one's own citizens or subjects, which are the most desirable.

d.       Mixed troops, a combination of native troops and mercenaries or auxiliaries, which are still less desirable than a completely native army.

The Character and Behavior of the Prince

Machiavelli suggests the following characteristics and behaviors for princes:

a.       It's better to be frugal than generous.

b.       It's better to be cruel than merciful.

c.       It's acceptable to break promises if doing so is in one's best interest.

d.       Princes should avoid being hated or despised; the people's favor is a stronger defense than any fortress.

e.       Princes should undertake significant projects to improve their reputation.

f.        Princes should choose wise advisors and avoid flatterers.

Machiavelli outlines and recommends the following:

The rulers of Italy have lost their states by neglecting the political and military principles outlined by Machiavelli. While fortune plays a role in human affairs, free will also influences outcomes, allowing princes to take action. However, few princes can adapt their actions to changing circumstances. In the final chapter, Machiavelli urges the Medici family to follow his principles and liberate Italy from foreign control.

Disclaimer: This article is in the making.

References: 

“What Can You Learn From Machiavelli?” Yale Insights, 1 Jan. 2011, insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-can-you-learn-machiavelli.

Harrison, Robert P. “What Can You Learn From Machiavelli?” Yale Insights, 1 Jan. 2011, insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-can-you-learn-machiavelli.