Asked by qp
Whenever those states which have been acquired as stated have been accustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom, there are three courses for those who wish to hold them: the first is to ruin them, the next is to reside there in person, the third is to permit them to live under their own laws, drawing a tribute, and establishing within it an oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you. Because such a government, being created by the prince, knows that it cannot stand without his friendship and interest, and does its utmost to support him; and therefore he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it more easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way.
–The Prince,
Niccolò Machiavelli
What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this passage?
What does Machiavelli most want the reader to know?
What is his secondary purpose?
How does Machiavelli work to achieve his secondary purpose?
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
- Primary purpose
- To instruct rulers (princes) in practical policy: to explain the best ways to keep control of newly acquired states that are used to freedom.
- What Machiavelli most wants the reader to know
- That the most effective way to hold such a state is not to destroy it or to rule it directly, but to leave its laws and appearance of freedom intact while extracting tribute and installing a loyal oligarchy of local leaders who depend on the prince.
- Secondary purpose
- To persuade rulers to adopt a pragmatic, even amoral, approach to power—prioritizing stability and self-interest over ideals of justice or local autonomy—and to legitimize manipulation of local elites as a politically sound tactic.
- How Machiavelli works to achieve his secondary purpose
- He lays out a clear, limited choice set (three options) and eliminates the less desirable ones, making the recommended option look like the rational solution.
- He uses cause-and-effect reasoning (an oligarchy created by the prince knows it must have his support, so it will support him) to show predictable practical benefits.
- He writes in a concise, confident tone that treats the matter as hard-headed political fact, appealing to the reader’s self-interest and desire for durable control.
- By framing the recommendation as easier and more reliable (“more easily”), he downplays moral objections and emphasizes utility.
- To instruct rulers (princes) in practical policy: to explain the best ways to keep control of newly acquired states that are used to freedom.
- What Machiavelli most wants the reader to know
- That the most effective way to hold such a state is not to destroy it or to rule it directly, but to leave its laws and appearance of freedom intact while extracting tribute and installing a loyal oligarchy of local leaders who depend on the prince.
- Secondary purpose
- To persuade rulers to adopt a pragmatic, even amoral, approach to power—prioritizing stability and self-interest over ideals of justice or local autonomy—and to legitimize manipulation of local elites as a politically sound tactic.
- How Machiavelli works to achieve his secondary purpose
- He lays out a clear, limited choice set (three options) and eliminates the less desirable ones, making the recommended option look like the rational solution.
- He uses cause-and-effect reasoning (an oligarchy created by the prince knows it must have his support, so it will support him) to show predictable practical benefits.
- He writes in a concise, confident tone that treats the matter as hard-headed political fact, appealing to the reader’s self-interest and desire for durable control.
- By framing the recommendation as easier and more reliable (“more easily”), he downplays moral objections and emphasizes utility.
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