Question

Which statement best evaluates Machiavelli’s argument?

Machiavelli ineffectively argues that new princes should do everything in their power to guard their kingdoms.
Machiavelli effectively argues that new princes must be cruel and cautious in order to protect their new kingdoms.
Machiavelli effectively argues that new princes should not be cruel and should proceed carefully in their new kingdoms.
Machiavelli ineffectively argues that new princes should not show fear, but should be self-confident and intolerable.

Answer 1

"Machiavelli effectively argues that new princes must be cruel and cautious in order to protect their new kingdoms."

Brief justification: In The Prince Machiavelli argues pragmatically that rulers sometimes must use cruelty strategically (better to be feared than loved, use severity all at once, avoid hatred) while being cautious and calculating to secure and maintain power.