Summary+of+Author's+Arguments+and+Positions

Chapter One: "How Many Kinds of Principalities There are, and by What Means They are Aquired"
Machiavelli differentiates between republics and principalities. According to Machiavelli, "principalities are either hereditary, in which the family has been long established; or they are new" (Chapter 1). Principalities are defined as, princes that rule or have sovereingty over a small state or state that falls within a larger state such as an empire. Republics are defined as, a political order whose head of state is not a monarch, ordinarily a president. Machiavelli explains how states are either a republic or a principality and that they can be defined as either hereditary or mixed.

Chapter Two: "Concerning Hereditary Principalities"
Machiavelli discusses hereditary principalities. He feels hereditary principalities, principalities that have been governed by a particular family for many generations, are easier to manage since they have past customs that are already instilled in the society's mind and the government. Machiavelli states, "...there are fewer difficulties in holding hereditary states,and those long accustomed to the family of their prince, than new ones" (Chapter 2). He also explains that it is easier to mantain a hereditary principality because the prince already has support and love from the people, unless the prince does something to cause the people to dislike him. "...unless extraordinary vices cause him to be hated, it is reasonable to expect that his subjects will be naturally well disposed towards him" (Chapter 2).

Chapter Three: "Concerning Mixed Principalities"
Machiavelli thinks that mixed principalities are more difficult to control because a new prince coming into an established principality can cause turmoil among the people because they are not familiar with the prince and his motives regarding the government."For although one many be very strong in armed forces, yet in entering a province one has always need of the goodwill of the natives" (Chapter 3). If the new prince enters into a principality with the same language and customs as the country he previously ruled, it will be easier to govern it because "the two peoples, preserving in other things the old conditions, and not being unlike in customs, will live quietly together" (Chapter 3). If the prince enters into a country with different customs than the people, "the greatest and most real helps would be that he who has acquired them should go and reside there" (Chapter 3). Machiavelli believes that in order for a prince to really understand his people and become accustomed to their culture, he must submerge himself within his colonies and not just send armed men there to control them. "For every reason, therefore, such guards are as useless as a colony is useful" (Chapter 3).

The prince must make himself prominent within the country so that he can become more powerful and control all of the neighboring states around the country. Becoming the most powerful figure within the country requires the prince to be ready at all times for imminent conflicts, the prince "has to regard not only present troubles but also future ones, for which they must prepare with every energy, because, when foreseen, it is easy to remedy them; but if you wait until they approach, the medicine is not longer in time because the malady has become incurable" (Chapter 3). Machiavelli also feels that a prince that cannot obtain more possessions, such as power, land, and money, would be considered weak. "The wish to acquire is in truth very natural and common, and men always do so when they can, and for this they will be praised not blamed; but when they cannot do so, yet wish to do so by any means, then there is folly and blame" (Chapter 3).

Chapter Four: "Why the Kingdom of Darius, Conquered by Alexander, did not Rebel Against the Successors of Alexander at his Death"
Machiavelli regards principalities as being governed by a prince and either barons(nobles) or ministers. Ministers are chosen by the prince whereas nobles are assigned to the prince because of "antiquity of blood" and not chosen by him. He believes that a minister would be more beneficial to the prince who is ruling the principality because ministers "can only be corrupted with great difficulity" and they do not have previous loyal followers since they are selected by the prince (Chapter 4). He also feels that if the followers of the prince realize that he is the only one with strong power over the state then they will be more inclined to support and follow him. Nobles, however, "have states and their own subjects, who recognize them as lords and hold them in natural affection" which may cause them to betray the prince quickly to rise in power (Chapter 4).

Overall Analysis of Authors Arguments and Positions:
Machiavelli's main purpose in writing the first four chapters of //The Prince// is to explain what a ruler must do to control the principality. He is concerned with who you should trust when ruling your principality and the diffculties when mixing principalities with hereditary and new ideas. He uses historical facts as evidence for his beliefs on how a prosperious state should be governed. In order to have a strong government, the prince must be aware of potential threats that could enter his empire and be more concerned with the success of the state even if it angers the people. Overall, Machiavelli thinks that a prince should do anything necessary to maintain control over his territory, no matter how it affects the people or neighboring states.

Bibliography:
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Logue, Frank. "The Gospel of Judas." __Irenic Thoughts__. 2006. King of Peace. 12/5/07 < http://kingofpeace.org/images/judasiscariot.jpg>

Machiavelli, Nicolo. __The Prince.__ Barron's Educational Series, Inc, 1515.

Royal Court, The. " The King's Crown." __The Royal Court__. 2007. 12/5/07 

Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, The. "Queen's Body Guard History." __The Yeomen of the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard__. 2006. 12/5/07 