Question

Which sentence best summarizes the central idea of chapter 5 of The Prince?

Machiavelli’s three ways to hold a conquered state where people are used to living freely are to devastate them, occupy them, or establish an elected ruler and collect taxes.
Machiavelli offers three ways to keep a conquered state—destruction, occupation with taxation, or the establishment of an oligarchy—and suggests an oligarchy as the best method.
Machiavelli’s three methods of maintaining control of a new state include destroying the ruling family, democratically electing a prime minister, or reinstalling the deposed prince.
Machiavelli offers three ways to hold states that are accustomed to freedom—destruction, occupation, or the establishment of an oligarchy—and says that destruction or occupation is best

Answer 1

Option 4.

It correctly lists Machiavelli’s three methods—destroy them, reside there, or set up an oligarchy—and accurately reflects his view that destruction (or, if impossible, personal occupation) is preferable to leaving them free under an imposed oligarchy.