deals with princely states (a single powerful ruler), not republics (representative government). States are either or . A hereditary state is relatively easy for a new prince to govern, since the subjects are familiar with the ruling family and the prince will have little cause to alienate his subjects by his actions. Any mistake by the newcomer will present an opportunity for the prince to regain power. Familiarity will always trump the unknown. New states, whether completely new or (where a larger hereditary state acquires a smaller one) are more difficult to hold onto. The people have high expectations, and it is easy for the new prince to disappoint friends and make enemies (since he will have to punish those who opposed him). storical Example: Louis XII captured Milan in late 1499 and lost it February 1500. (Having learned from his mistakes, Louis retook it April 1500 and held it for a decade). In Chapter III [p.5-11], Machiavelli offers 5 strategies whereby a prince can keep a hold on land which he has conquered. Louis XII lost Lombardy and was eventually kicked out of Italy because he did not adopt any of these 5 steps. He turned against his already weak allies (the Venetians), he made stronger neighbors even stronger (i.e. the Church, by assisting it in the conquest of Romagna) and he encouraged a powerful foreigner (Spain, by dividin
g Naples with them). It is natural that prince would want to be both loved (so that the people support him) and feared (so that his commands will be obeyed). But, if one has to choose, it is better to be feared. Why? Machiavelli argues (in Chapter XVII) that love is a weaker emotion than fear. Since man is a fickle, unreliable creature, he will not hesitate to swear allegiance to the prince when danger is far away. In a time of crisis (e.g. an invasion), a subject who loves but does not fear his prince will most likely abandon him. Only fear of what the prince can do to him will keep the subject loyal. Loyalty will be easily forgotten if the subject sees an opportunity to improve his position. But the subject will never be free of the threat of punishment. If the subject fears his own prince more than he does the invader, the prince will be secure. Machiavelli observes that “men love at their own inclination, but can be made to fear at the inclination of the prince.” [p.46] No prince can make his subjects love him (any more than can force someone else to love them) but fear can be implanted in people by the right sort of threat. The prince who has will recognize that, while love may be beyond his control (more a question of ), fear is not, and he will take great care to “manage” fear as a means of keeping his base of support solid.