Machiavelli sovereign short retelling. Sovereign

Conquered and inherited possessions may belong

One country and one language... It is not difficult to keep the country, especially if the new subjects did not know freedom before. It is necessary to hold on to power.

To eradicate the family of the former sovereign.
Maintain a community of customs.

To different countries and have different languages... It is very difficult to retain power, due to differences in language, custom and order. It is necessary to hold on to power.

Move to a new area for residence... Only living in the country can you notice the beginning of the turmoil and end it in time. To save the country from the robbery of officials, citizens will be able to directly contact the sovereign.
Establish colonies connecting new lands with the main ones (it is preferable, since they are cheap, but they offend a very small group of people whose land they occupy) or deploy a significant number of troops in a conquered country (very expensive, new taxes will have to be introduced for the conquered state, that is, everyone will be indignant population).
Become the head and protector of weaker neighbors.
Try to weaken strong neighbors.
Do not allow the weak to be strengthened too strongly.
To make sure that a foreign sovereign not inferior in strength does not enter the country under any pretext... Those who are dissatisfied within the country always call on them: 1) out of ambition, 2) out of fear. When a foreign sovereign appears, all the weak adhere to him out of envy.

According to the type of system, the state governed by autocracy is divided into two types

States where the sovereign rules surrounded by servants, who, by his grace and permission, were placed in high positions and help him to govern the state. In this case, the sovereign has more power, since the entire population knows only one master. Such a state is extremely difficult to conquer, but by conquest it is easy to retain it.
States where the sovereign rules surrounded by barons, who rule not by the grace of the sovereign, but by virtue of the antiquity of the family. These barons have hereditary states and subjects, who recognize their power over themselves and have a natural affection for them. In this case, the sovereign has less power. Such a state is easy to conquer, but it is difficult to hold on to it.

Inherited state

It is much easier to hold the reign, since the subjects managed to get used to the ruling house. To retain power, it is enough:

do not violate well-established laws and regulations;
without haste to adapt to new circumstances.

The reason for this is that the sovereign, who inherited power, has fewer reasons and necessity.

New state

By type of novelty

The new state as a whole.

A state where subjects are accustomed to obey the sovereign.
The state where the subjects lived primordially freely... There are three ways to keep the conquered state living before that freely and according to its own laws.
- Destroy it.
- Move to live there.
- Grant the right to citizens to live according to their own laws, imposing tribute and entrusting the government to a small number of people who would vouch for the friendliness of the sovereign.

The first method is the most effective. The third is the most dangerous, since states accustomed to living freely will not forget freedom and the old order, even after a long time.

New part attached to the legacy state.

In the case of mixed states, it is more difficult to retain power as a result of possible coups. The main reason for the coup: people, believing that the new ruler will be better, willingly rebel against the old, but soon they are convinced by experience that they were deceived, because the new ruler is always worse than the old. Naturally, the conqueror oppresses his subjects, imposing all kinds of duties on them and burdens them with the idle time of the troops.

In this case, the conqueror makes enemies both among those whom he persecuted and among those who contributed to the conquest, since he cannot repay them in accordance with expectations, but he also cannot apply drastic measures to them, being obliged to them.

By purchase method

State acquired by its own weapons. State acquired by someone else's weapon.

According to the characteristics of the sovereign

The state acquired by the grace of fate... It is easy to acquire power, but it is difficult to retain it. These sovereigns include those who received power for money or was granted as a token of mercy. In these cases, sovereigns are entirely dependent on the will and fortune of those to whom they owe power.
The State Acquired by Valor... Great works are worth conquering power and small ones - to keep it. The underlying difficulty lies in the fact that it is always necessary to introduce new regulations and procedures. You need to know that there is no case in which the organization would be more difficult, the conduct is more dangerous, and the success is more doubtful than replacing the old orders with new ones. Sovereigns can be divided into:
- those, who should beg to achieve the goal (most likely doomed to failure);
- those, who can use force (with a high probability of being lucky).

The disposition of people is fickle, and if it is easy to convert them to your faith, then it is difficult to keep them in it. Therefore, one must be prepared to make people believe by force when faith in the people dries up.

Civil autocracy

Unity is established either by the nobility or by the people. It is more difficult for someone who comes to power with the help of the nobility to retain power than for someone who was brought to power by the people, since if the sovereign is surrounded by the nobility who considers himself equal to him, he can neither order nor have an independent course of action. Whereas the one who was brought to power by the people rules alone and around him there is no one or almost no one who would not want to obey him.

It is impossible to honestly, without infringing upon others, satisfy the claims of the nobility, but it is possible - the demands of the people.
The people have a more honest goal than the nobility: the know wants to oppress the people, but the people do not want to be oppressed.
Nothing can be done with a hostile people, because they are numerous, but with the nobility - it is possible, because they are few in number.
The sovereign is not free to choose the people, but he is free to choose to know, for his right to punish and pardon, bring closer or expose to disgrace.
Noble people should be dealt with as they do.
Regardless of who brought the sovereign to rule, he must first of all secure the friendship of the people, that is, take the people under his protection.

Troops

The basis of power in all states - inherited, mixed and new - is good laws and a good army. Good laws do not exist where there is no good army, and vice versa, where there is a good army, there are good laws.

The sovereign should have no other thoughts, no other concerns, no other matter than war, military institutions and military science, for war is the only duty that the ruler cannot assign to another.

Types of troops.

Own.
Allied.
Hired.
Mixed.

Mercenary and allied troops are useless and dangerous; the power that relies on the mercenary army will never be either strong or durable. Allied troops can serve their sovereign perfectly and usefully, but for the one who calls them for help, they are almost always dangerous, because their defeat threatens the sovereign with death, and victory - dependence. In a mercenary army, negligence is more dangerous, in an allied army - valor.

Without its own army, the state is fragile - moreover, it entirely depends on the whims of fortune. Own troops are those that are made up of subjects, citizens or people loyal to you, while all others are either allied or hired.

The qualities of the sovereign

Generosity and Thrift... It is good to have the glory of a generous sovereign, nevertheless, he who shows generosity in order to be reputed to be generous, harms himself. If you exercise it reasonably and properly, they will not learn about it, but you will still be accused of stinginess, therefore, in order to spread the glory of your generosity among people, you will have to be sophisticated in magnificent undertakings, but in doing so, you will drain the treasury after which, not wanting to part with the glory of a generous ruler, you will be forced to overload the people with taxes and resort to unseemly ways to find money. Since the sovereign cannot, without prejudice to himself, show generosity so that it will be recognized, then would it not be more prudent for him to come to terms with the glory of a stingy ruler? In order not to rob his subjects, to have the means for defense, not to become impoverished, not to provoke contempt and not to become greedy by captivity, the sovereign should neglect the glory of a stingy ruler, for avarice is one of those vices that allow him to rule. You can spend either your own or someone else's. In the first case, thrift is useful, in the second - as much generosity as possible.
Rigidity and Mercy... Instill fear or love? The sovereign, if he wants to keep his subjects in obedience, should not reckon with accusations of cruelty. Having committed several reprisals, he will show more mercy than those who indulge in disorder in excess of him. The entire population suffers from the disorder that causes robbery and murder, while only individuals suffer from punishment imposed by the sovereign. The sovereign should not be gullible, suspicious and quick to punish, in all his actions he should be restrained, prudent and merciful. People are less hesitant to offend the one who inspires them love than the one who inspires them with fear. Love is supported by gratitude, which people, being evil, can neglect for their own benefit, while fear is supported by the threat of punishment, which cannot be neglected. The sovereign must instill fear in such a way that, if not gaining love, then at least avoiding hatred, for it is quite possible to instill fear without hatred. Without being reputed to be cruel, it is impossible to support the unity and fighting efficiency of the army. They love the sovereigns at their own discretion, but they are afraid - at the discretion of the sovereigns, therefore, it is better for a wise ruler to rely on what depends on him, and not on someone else; it is only important not to incur the hatred of his subjects in any way.
How Sovereigns Should Keep Their Word... We know from experience that in our time great things were only possible for those who did not try to keep their word and were able to deceive whoever needed. A reasonable ruler cannot and should not remain true to his promise if it harms his interests and if the reasons that prompted him to make a promise have disappeared. For the sake of preserving the state, the sovereign is often forced to go against his word, against mercy, kindness and piety. Let those who see it and hear it, it appears as mercy itself, fidelity, straightforwardness, humanity and piety, especially piety.
How to Avoid Hatred and Contempt... The sovereign must make sure that nothing is done that could cause hatred or contempt of his subjects. Sovereigns incite hatred by predation and encroachment on the good and the women of their subjects. Sovereigns excite contempt by inconstancy, frivolity, effeminacy, cowardice and indecision. These qualities must be avoided like fire, trying, on the contrary, in every action to show magnanimity, fearlessness, solidity and firmness. The decision of the sovereign regarding the private affairs of his subjects must be irrevocable, and the opinion about him must be such that no one could think that it is possible to deceive or outwit the sovereign. Good deeds can incur hatred on oneself in the same way as bad deeds, therefore, the sovereign, as I have already said, is often forced to retreat from good in order to preserve the state.
How to be respected... Nothing can inspire such respect in the sovereign, as military undertakings and extraordinary deeds. When someone does something significant in civil life, good or bad, it is useful to reward or punish him in such a way that it is remembered for as long as possible. The main thing for the sovereign is to try with all his actions to create for himself the glory of a great man endowed with an outstanding mind. The sovereign is respected when he openly declares himself an enemy or friend, that is, when he unhesitatingly speaks for one against the other. The sovereign should also show himself as a patron of talents, welcome gifted people, give honor to those who distinguished themselves in any craft or art. The sovereign should encourage citizens to calmly indulge in trade, agriculture and crafts, so that some can improve their possessions without fear that these possessions will be taken away from them. The sovereign must also entertain the people with festivities and spectacles at a suitable time of the year. Respecting the guilds, or tribes, into which every city is divided, the sovereign must sometimes participate in their meetings and be an example of generosity and magnanimity, but at the same time firmly observe his dignity and grandeur, which should be present in his every act.

It is necessary to arm the inhabitants. If it is impossible to arm everyone, then you need to take a closer look and take away some of them, honoring them for taking on a greater risk. Thus, we will acquire our own army.
When you are new sovereigns or founding a new state, you should always create your own army.
By annexing the territory to the existing state, it is necessary to disarm everyone who has been captured, except for those who contributed to the capture.
For those sovereigns who are more afraid of the people than of external enemies, fortresses are useful; and those of them who fear external enemies more than the people do not need fortresses. The best of all fortresses is not to be hated by the people.
The minister, in whose hands the affairs of the state, must think not about himself, but about the sovereign, and not come to him with anything that does not apply to the sovereign. But the sovereign, for his part, must try to maintain the loyalty of his minister, giving him what he deserves, multiplying his fortune, tying him to himself with the bonds of gratitude, sharing responsibilities and honors with him, so that he sees that the sovereign cannot do without him, and that having enough riches and honors, he did not desire new riches and honors, and also that, occupying various positions, he was afraid of coups.
A prudent sovereign should distinguish several wise people, give them only the right to express everything that they think, but only about what you yourself ask and about nothing else; however, one must ask about everything and listen to the answers, and the decision must be made by oneself and at one's own discretion. The sovereign should always consult with others, but only when he wants it, and not when others want it.
People should either be fondled or destroyed. For a small evil can be avenged by a person, but not for a big one. The offense inflicted on a person should be calculated so as not to fear revenge.
If you find out in a timely manner an emerging ailment, which is given only to wise rulers, then it is not difficult to get rid of it, but if it is neglected so that everyone can see it, then no medicine will help.
War cannot be avoided; it can only be delayed - to the advantage of the enemy.
Truly, the passion for conquest is a natural and common thing; and those who take into account their capabilities will all approve or no one will condemn; but a condemnable mistake is made by one who does not take into account his capabilities and strives for conquests at any cost
Those who relied less on the mercy of fate stayed in power longer.
Offenses must be inflicted at once: the less they are tasted, the less harm from them.
Benefits are useful to show little by little, so that they are tasted as best as possible.
The most important thing for the sovereign is to behave with his subjects so that no event - neither bad nor good - forces him to change his treatment of them, since if a difficult time happens, it is too late to do evil, and good is useless, because he will be considered compelled. and will not repay it with gratitude.
The nobility wants to subjugate and oppress the people, the people do not want to be subordinate and oppressed; the clash of these principles is resolved in three ways: either autocracy, or lawlessness, or freedom
People are such that, seeing good on the part of those from whom evil was expected, they are especially attached to benefactors.
A wise sovereign should take measures to ensure that citizens always and under any circumstances have a need for a sovereign and a state - only then will he be able to rely on their loyalty.
People are by nature such that they are no less attached to those who have done good themselves, than to those who have done good to them.
The distance between how people live and how they ought to live is so great that the one who rejects the reality for the sake of the due, acts more to harm himself than for the good, since, wanting to profess good in all cases of life, he will inevitably perish. facing a multitude of people who are not good.
About people in general, we can say that they are ungrateful and fickle, prone to hypocrisy and deception, that they are frightened off by danger and attracted to profit.
Love is supported by gratitude, which people, being evil, can neglect for their own benefit, while fear is supported by the threat of punishment, which cannot be neglected.
Onslaught is better than caution, because fortune is a woman, and whoever wants to cope with her must pound and kick her - she succumbs to that sooner than to those who coldly take up the case. Therefore, as a woman, she is a friend of the young, for they are not so circumspect, more courageous and tame her with greater audacity.

Sovereign(Il Principe; there is also often a translation closer to the original, but less accurate in meaning. "Prince") is a treatise by the Florentine thinker and statesman Niccolo Machiavelli, which describes the methodology of seizing power, the methods of government and the skills necessary for an ideal ruler. The book was originally titled: De Principatibus (About the principalities).

The treatise was written around 1513, but it was not published until 1532, five years after the death of Machiavelli. The book was a fundamental work of its time on the systematization of information about the state and its rule. The materials have not become obsolete until now: the principles described in the book are also relevant in modern geopolitics. First of all, the book contains a description of the principles of coming to power and retention of the monarchy and the republic. Niccolo Machiavelli describes such options for coming to power as luck (skillful use of coincidences), valor, meanness or crime, as well as the choice of population groups (people or elite).

Introduction
Chapter I. How many types of states are and how they are acquired.
Chapter II. On hereditary autocracy.
Chapter III. About mixed states.
Chapter IV. Why the kingdom of Darius, conquered by Alexander, did not revolt against Alexander's successors after his death.
Chapter V. How to govern cities or states that, before they were conquered, lived according to their own laws.
Chapter VI. About new states, acquired by their own weapons or valor.
Chapter VII. About new states acquired by someone else's weapons or by the grace of fate.
Chapter VIII. About those who acquire power by atrocities.
Chapter IX. About civil autocracy.
Chapter X. How should the strength of all states be measured.
Chapter XI. On ecclesiastical states.
Chapter XII. About how many types of troops there are, and about hired soldiers.
Chapter XIII. About the allied, mixed and own troops.
Chapter XIV. How the sovereign should act regarding military affairs.
Chapter XV. About what people, especially sovereigns, are praised or blamed for.
Chapter XVI. About generosity and frugality.
Chapter XVII. About cruelty and mercy and what is better: to inspire love or fear.
Chapter XVIII. About how sovereigns should keep their word.
Chapter XIX. How to avoid hatred and contempt.
Chapter XX. About whether fortresses are useful, and much more that the sovereigns constantly use.
Chapter XXI. How a sovereign should act in order to be honored.
Chapter XXII. On the advisers to the sovereigns.
Chapter XXIII. How to avoid flatterers.
Chapter XXIV. Why the sovereigns of Italy have lost their states.
Chapter XXV. What is the power of fate over the affairs of people and how you can resist it.
Chapter XXVI. A call to seize Italy and free it from the hands of the barbarians.

The Renaissance is in the yard. The conquest of new territories began. And you are the king who gave all these orders, but for some reason everyone considers you to be an evil and very bad person. The people do not obey, it is felt that there will soon be trouble. What to do in this case? So, here are some rules to tackle this difficult situation:

The first rule that the sovereign needs:

It is best to personally visit your new possessions, get acquainted with the new people. This will help to win over the people and help get rid of enemies. If, nevertheless, such an option is excluded, then it is best to send your subjects, who will also be able to get along with the people.

Rule 2

It is very important to eliminate any power competitors. Try to attract influential people to you in order to create a powerful alliance that can defeat the most powerful countries.

Rule 3

If someone nevertheless went against you, then it is best to immediately eliminate this problem so that there will be no big difficulties afterwards.

Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Gulf, and then died, but his people managed to rule the Persians for a long time, how did it happen? To begin with, it is worth considering the types of rulers:

The first is the baron. Such a country remains in danger all the time - the power here easily changes, but after that everything will go the same way.

The second type is the servant. Here the sovereign begins his reign by completely eliminating all his competitors, the people are friendly with him, who are ready to support him at any moment.

But the sovereign can obtain power only in two ways: with the help of the army and an agreement between the peoples. In any of these cases, it is required to act very skillfully and accurately.

Actions to harm others are another way to gain power. But such cruelty should not be constant, a special approach is needed here - one single blow that will solve all problems.

What should every ruler be able to do? It is undoubtedly to know military affairs, to command and manage your army well. Not knowing diplomacy is a big disadvantage that can lead to defeat. You also need to always keep the army ready, you need to train people so that they can eliminate the enemy.

Rule 4

Another rule is to have a population that is equipped with weapons and can work for them. This rule helped both the Swedes and the Spartans. Hired people are the worst option, they usually fight for money, and if the treasury is empty, then you can quickly lose support.

Any person served is waiting for a reward, he is his ruler, so it is important to observe generosity, but stinginess will not hurt. Better to do it this way - first it is good to show that you are a generous person, and after gaining power, start skimping and increasing taxes.

Any ruler must be able to use cruelty in his direction. The population must somehow be afraid of their ruler in order to avoid betrayal.

But can a ruler cheat? Yes, but so that no one will notice. Lying for the good also has positive qualities if no one knows it.

Every ruler for all time in history had a circle of associates with whom he consulted. That is why it is best to create a circle of people who can be completely trusted.

But the most important moment in governing a country is to know the history of your country in order to avoid mistakes that have already occurred. Analyze the actions of other rulers and listen to the advice of the winners.

This book teaches how to properly govern a country so as not to suffer defeat in a short time and to remain in power as long as possible with good authority. It also teaches what qualities any ruler should have.

Detailed retelling of the Emperor Machiavelli

The times of the beginning of the Renaissance from the dark years of the Middle Ages were marked by complex processes taking place in society. Moods changed dramatically, culture, morality and philosophy were rethought. Until the path of further development was determined, the mood of society was shaking, and world events threw from side to side of the poor inhabitants of a difficult era.

The great thinker Niccolo Machiavelli grew up on this soil. He impartially watched from the sidelines what was happening and then carefully comprehend what he saw. The thinker found fame for himself and most of the rulers of Europe during the Renaissance listened to his wise advice, almost always infallible.

In 1513 Nicollo Machiavelli sent as a gift to the prince of Florence - Lorenzo dei Medici, a written treatise with advice on government. The book turned out to be so informative and useful that many great rulers, like Napoleon, kept it like a tabletop. A subtle politician and diplomat, Machiavelli passed on through his work the basic knowledge of the fine art of government, which he savored over his long life.

In his work, Machiavelli talks about the forms of government of states that, in his opinion, exist. He divides them into monarchies and republics and reveals the features of these forms of government. Machiavelli talks about luck as a way to achieve power, but calls it insufficient, so he pays great attention to the power of arms and the virtue of the ruler. Arms and virtue, according to Machiavelli, complement each other, which is the key to success.

The author talks about the peculiarities of religious states, which he distinguishes in a separate category. The author talks about the ways of keeping them and the intricacies of their life treasure, which you need to know in order to keep the state.

The book tells about the character traits that should be inherent in the ruler. The author talks about the animal qualities that a good ruler should have. Of course, using animals like a lion or a fox is just a metaphor needed to better describe who the ruler should look like.

Speaking of virtue, Machiavelli emphasizes kindness, generosity, humanity, mercy. The author describes in detail the influence of these traits on the image of the ruler, his actions and the dependence on them of the attitude of subjects to their ruler. It is worth noting that the author emphasizes reputation, as a virtue, and impartially explains how, thanks to it, hatred or contempt of the people is formed.

The author tells by the example of the history and actions of the rulers of the past how certain systems of right or wrong management work. He describes in detail the skillful and magnificent techniques that brought good or bad luck to their creators. Impartial, unprincipled and free from all prejudices, Machiavelli artfully subtly describes every detail.

In addition to conquest, Machiavelli talks about the rules of retention of power and how to deal with the old order that can destroy the new system of government. Machiavelli is sometimes cruel and inhuman in his reasoning, but such is the price for the gifts of the position of the ruler, according to the thinker.

Speaking about the sources of his knowledge, the author calls experience the only source. And it is impossible not to agree with this statement, because Machiavelli spent his entire life in observation, both simply from the outside, and in his diplomatic work, which he tirelessly engaged in throughout his life. On the basis of observations, he received his precious knowledge, which he expounded in his work.

The author deals with the issues of waging war as a good ruler. He talks about the methods of managing the army, its formation and maintenance. The author talks about the types of troops, their advantages and how to effectively use them in combat to gain an advantage in combat. The author talks about the important rules of war strategy and the balance of power in politics. It provides important business advice and useful examples of how the strategy works. For example, Machiavelli talks about the advantages of fortresses and whether they are needed or not needed for the defense of the ruler.

The author also does not ignore the issues of economics. The book contains useful tips on how to save a huge amount of money and not engage in useless waste, but effectively spend money in government and warfare.

Also, the book describes the rules of conducting behind-the-scenes struggle and diplomacy, in which the author is undoubtedly an expert. Machiavelli gives instructions on which people are worth listening to and which are not, and how not to be deceived by the sweet speeches of eloquent counselors. The author emphasizes the priority importance of this word by the ruler and the need for its implementation.

One can note the author's rude and dismissive tone in relation to the established moral norms of mankind. But it was the author's impartiality that made it possible to develop an important work that opened the eyes of the sovereigns who read it to their own craft and allowed them to rule for a long time and measuredly. Despite the fact that the name Machiavelli is often used as a synonym for betrayal and political permissiveness, his work gives us a deep sense of humor, albeit a rather bitter one.

So, the work of the great thinker presents us with valuable knowledge about the methods of government and the rules of conducting a skillful dialogue with the world, presenting ourselves as a wise ruler. The book tells how not to lose the glory gained and what you should pay attention to, while waging a difficult struggle for power and priority in government. The reader will learn the secrets of the unsurpassed skill of the great maestro of diplomacy. Machiavelli turns politics into an unrivaled art and creates for us the prototype of the ideal ruler to strive for.

Picture or drawing Machiavelli - Sovereign

"Sovereign" N. Machiavelli in abbreviated form

"Sovereign" by Machiavelli, a summary of the treatise on power:

As a sovereign, you can be merciful or cruel, honest or deceitful - you have the right to do whatever will strengthen your rule. When it comes to power, any means is fine.

Citizens should feel important

Imagine that you are reigning in the Renaissance and have just conquered new territory. The population considers you an occupier and a stranger, does not want to perceive you as their sovereign. How, then, to govern the country?

The first rule of the sovereign

Try to be personally present in the new domain. The proximity of the ruler will allow residents to feel their own importance and at the same time scare off enemies.

If you cannot come yourself, send your subjects. So the new subjects will get used to the way of your people and begin to adapt.

Second rule

Always take action to eliminate potential competitors. Protect the weak leaders around the new realm, they will gladly join you. Your alliance can grow strong enough to challenge powerful states that threaten your power.

Third rule

Be alert to future threats. The disease is easier to cure at the beginning, so it is easier to stop rivals when they first attack.

Example: The ancient Romans used this tactic when conquering Greece. They did not allow any local leader to become stronger than others, no matter how loyal he was to the Romans.

And the King of France, Louis XII, having seized Northern Italy, quickly lost control over it, violating all of the above rules. Don't repeat his mistakes.

A state is either easy to conquer but difficult to rule, or difficult to conquer but easy to rule

When Alexander the Great died after conquering the Persian kingdom, everyone thought that without him the Macedonians would quickly lose control over the Persians. But they managed to maintain their power for many years. How?

To answer this question, consider the different types of states.

Ruler-Baron System

Example: In France, the king ruled the country through many nobles (they were called barons) with a personal interest. Such an unstable system leads to fragmentation of the state. Occasionally, barons may even challenge the king's authority.

A country with such a system is easy to conquer: it is enough to lure a few barons to your side. But in the future, you will get the same trouble as your predecessor.

The ruler-servant relationship

The sovereign begins his reign by eliminating people with political ambitions. Only those who sincerely support the ruler and his plans remain. This is how a cohesive state is created, which provides tough resistance to the invaders during the invasion.

Example: When Alexander conquered Persia, she had this system of government. King Darius abolished all institutions and forced the leaders to faithfully follow him. Therefore, Alexander had to fight fiercely to conquer Persia, but after his death there were no independent rulers in the country who could start a coup.

Only you choose which system to apply in your state. Each has its own advantages, so you need to decide based on the specific circumstances and your capabilities.

The acquisition of new states depends on luck and merit

The ruler can gain control over the state in two ways: the army and international agreements.

Regardless of the method, a combination of great merit and good fortune is required.

Even the most gifted ruler needs a little luck to use his virtues. Capturing a city or kingdom with an army demonstrates your courage, spiritual strength, character and leadership. But all this is useless if luck is not on your side.

Example: Romulus was forced to leave the city of Alba in infancy, thereby pushing him to lay the foundation of Rome. If he had not been forced to leave Alba, he could end up becoming a farmer, unable to show his positive sides.

But the opposite is also true: if fate is favorable to you, you will have to prove yourself in order to take advantage of it.

Example: If an influential patron is supportive of you, it is possible to become a sovereign simply by a fluke. But in the new state, your opponents will be stronger than the supporters, because the former are aimed at overthrowing you, and the supporters do not know what to expect from you.

You will have to act quickly and with dignity to lay the foundations for a long reign. Take control of the nobility in the state and create your own army. Without these precautions, you will be quickly overthrown.

Atrocity and popular support will help you become a sovereign

Example: In 317 BC. NS. a man named Agathocles, the son of a potter, gathered an army of mercenaries and took Syracuse (Sicily). Despite his vow to uphold a democratic constitution, he killed 10,000 of his opponents and became a tyrant.

Atrocity is one way to gain power. Cunning and ruthlessness will help to gain control over the state.

But cruelty only works when used correctly. Cruelty must be swift - deliver one merciless blow. At first, the people will be very indignant. Gradually reduce the amount of violence by soothing the population. This is exactly what Agathocles did, and he managed to maintain power.

Conversely, excessive decency at the beginning of the reign and the gradual increase in brutality are not smart tactics.

Power can also be gained by protecting citizens and gaining support from them. You need to help people become wealthy enough to want to support you. "Sufficient security" depends on what people are used to.

Example: If people were slaves before, they will be happy, having gained freedom.

The main goal is to make citizens feel indebted. If this happens, they will keep you in power, even if they have to endure hardship. In power through terror, people do not feel indebted.

It is easier to achieve power by cruelty, but power based on the support of the population is more stable.

Every sovereign must master the art of war

Diplomacy is a useful tool, but when it comes to fighting, the unarmed will always obey the armed. The art of war is necessary to become and remain sovereign.

Even in times of peace, it is important to develop military skills, because it is most likely to lose a state through war.

Troops play a key role: good laws and institutions are impossible without the protection of a strong army.

War is necessary to maintain power, so keep your army and yourself - your physical and mental abilities - constantly at war.

Example: Every time you hunt, study the landscape of your possessions and think about how to use the terrain to form a defense in war.

The experience of great masters helps prepare for war. All great commanders learned from their predecessors: Alexander the Great - from Achilles, and Caesar imitated Alexander.

It is important to be a good leader in peacetime, but we must not forget that fortune is changeable. The state can be hit by war, and the only way to maintain power is to prepare for it.

The army of the state must be composed of its citizens

What do the Romans, Spartans and Swiss have in common?

These countries had a well-armed population, which allowed them to remain independent for centuries. Only local armies can effectively defend the state.

Mercenaries, that is, independent troops fighting only for money, are useless. They are not interested in the survival of the state, so they can escape in battle if they feel that it is not worth dying for money.

Mercenaries will rob you in peacetime, and in war they will allow your enemy to do the same. And even if you are lucky enough to find a capable mercenary commander who is ready to fight for you, sooner or later he will realize that he can easily overthrow you too.

Example: In the 15th and 16th centuries, Italy relied on mercenaries repeatedly and was conquered by French kings, and later occupied by Ferdinand of Aragon, when mercenaries fled the battlefield at breakneck speed.

Another mistake is to rely on allied support troops. As soon as foreign troops enter your land, you risk never getting rid of them.

Example: Greece let 10,000 Turkish soldiers into their land to defend themselves against their neighbors. When the war ended, the Turks refused to return and, as a result, occupied Greece for several centuries.

You will lose by relying on auxiliary troops: if they are defeated, your state will fall, and if they win, they will remain and enslave you.

The only way to protect the country is to create an army of your own citizens.

The sovereign must harmoniously combine generosity and stinginess

Citizens expect certain behavior from their ruler.

Personality traits such as politeness or generosity are important for the stability of the state. At the same time, the qualities that are positive for the ordinary citizen may not be those for the sovereign.

Take generosity. A generous person is loved by everyone, but if the ruler, striving for such a reputation, starts spending everything he can afford, people will quickly get used to it. We will have to constantly shower the citizens with gifts, which will quickly drain the treasury. The tax burden will need to be increased, which will negate all the benefits of generosity.

To be a successful sovereign, you need to balance generosity and greed.

Show generosity to gain power, especially in states where citizens can choose a ruler.

Example: This is how Caesar became the ruler of Rome: he spent a fortune on "bread and circuses" in order to increase his popularity.

But once you've become sovereign, show stinginess and gradually increase your spending to build on your popularity without getting into financial trouble.

Example: Once Caesar got the position he desired, he tempered his generosity so as not to bankrupt the empire.

In the long run, citizens will be more satisfied with lower taxes. Therefore, stinginess in order to reduce taxes is better than generosity.

A successful sovereign can use cruelty to his advantage

One of the greatest threats to the Roman Empire was the war launched by Hannibal and his Carthaginian army. Hannibal's success is attributed to his brutality. Brutality, applied correctly, will benefit you.

Example: Hannibal crucified his own scouts for providing false information. He instilled fear in the soldiers, thereby rallying them in difficult times.

Every sovereign wants to appear gracious and just, but in order to maintain power and unite citizens, he must inspire awe.

It is better for a ruler to be feared, not loved. We all know that promises based on love are constantly broken, so a too merciful sovereign can be used for someone's own interests. But fear of harsh punishment will always act as a deterrent.

And isn't it merciful to provide security with the brutal punishment of lawbreakers?

Brutality is especially effective when leading an army: soldiers admire some degree of viciousness and recognize that it is necessary for discipline. Hannibal's success is an example of the right use of brutality.

Use the brutality to your advantage, but don't go too far so as not to arouse the hatred of the citizens. Try to find balance. Do not punish innocent residents, do not take away their property without a reason - so people will rally against you, creating instability in the state. The best way is to make them contented and somewhat fearful.

A successful sovereign knows when to use deceit and hide it

If you ask a ruler what animal he identifies with, the answer is often a lion. Yes, the power of the lion is an important quality, but the ruler also needs the cunning of the fox.

How to imitate a fox? When making promises, you shouldn't always keep your word.

Integrity is important because laws and treaties are the foundation of government institutions. But like the sly fox, you need to know when principles can be disregarded in favor of your own interests.

Example: If a rebel leader is giving you trouble, why not invite him to peace talks and punish him? This will cleverly solve the problem.

If a conscience awakens in you, remind yourself that other people often act in a way that works for them, despite their promises.

Just make sure the citizens don't see the devious side of you. You can be a “wolf in sheep's clothing,” but you must create the impression of a bona fide ruler who shares religious and human values.

But on the international stage, be absolutely honest. If relations between two states are tense, it is necessary to quickly choose one side and support it.

Indecision is the worst possible option, because the winner in the conflict will attack you, because you clearly did not support him.

The presence of obvious allies and opponents brings clarity to your own situation, and forces you to act decisively. A real sovereign always manifests himself either as a devoted friend or as a sworn enemy.

History knows many great leaders, but all of them, at one time or another, needed counselors. No man can be a jack of all trades. The way the ruler recruits and works with advisers speaks volumes about his leadership ability.

The quality of the advisers depends only on the sovereign. You know better in which areas you lack knowledge, so you need to wisely select the right advisors and ministers.

Once determined, maintain good relations with your ministers so that they serve your interests. But keep an eye on them constantly. If you see someone acting for their own benefit, fire them immediately. Those who serve you faithfully should receive generous rewards - enough so as not to provoke them into intrigues behind your back.

Also, the sovereign should be able to ask for advice. Counselors should know that you value honest opinions and will not punish them for truth. Otherwise, you will only hear deceptive flattery or embellished truth. If a person does not want to speak, then he is clearly trying to hide something.

But don't listen to advice unconditionally: if you allow ministers to give advice without you asking, people will quickly start questioning your decisions. Make it clear that only you can decide when to seek advice.

Take action - don't rely on chance

You may think that advice on how to succeed as a ruler is pointless, since the fate of any sovereign is decided by fortune and God.

But you can influence your future.

God has given us free will. We are able to make decisions and, thereby, influence our destiny. Half of the future is in the hands of fate, but the other half depends on our actions!

Luck is important for the success of the sovereign, but you can protect yourself, prepare for a situation when she turns away.

Example: Imagine that your luck is a river that has flowed calmly for many years, making your fields fertile. You need to build dams against future cataclysms. Thus, if the “river” turns into a flood, you will suffer, but not perish.

It is impossible to prepare for every twist of fate: some of them are simply unpredictable. Don't try to foresee the future, but create it! The best way to do this is to be bold, not careful.

Example: Father Julius II wanted to start a war against Bologna. He did not wait for the consent of his allies and immediately moved his troops to the city. Venice and France could not object, and the campaign was a great success.

Machiavelli argues that you need to think of luck as a woman, meek and obedient, preferring a young, energetic husband, rather than a cautious thinker.

The most important thing

The sovereign should read historical books and analyze the actions of outstanding people. Take a closer look at how they behaved in the war, what are the reasons for their victories and defeats. Try to imitate their example and avoid their mistakes.

Great deeds were performed by those sovereigns who knew how to fool people with their tricks. It is commendable for the sovereign to keep his word. But experience shows that sovereigns who cared little for the given word prevailed over those who trusted in honesty. Remember that the lion's power is good, but the fox's cunning is just as important.

Generosity comes at a cost. To maintain the title of generous, you will have to constantly give gifts to your subjects. And when resources are depleted, taxes will need to be raised, which will generate hatred among the people, and in the end you will still be known as stingy. It is wiser to initially show stinginess and gradually increase spending.

You have read Machiavelli's treatise "The Sovereign", a summary of the main theses.