CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

The final draft for the fulfilment of project of Legal English

On

Machiavellis-The Prince

Submitted to:-Mr Pratyush kaushik

Faculty of Legal English

Submitted by:- Abhinav Prasad

Roll no.1605

1st year B.B.A.L.L.B. (Hons.)

Table of Contents
Acknowledgement......................................................................................................................2
Declaration.................................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology...............................................................................................................4
Aims & Objectives.................................................................................................................4
Research Methodology...........................................................................................................5
Overview....................................................................................................................................5
About Niccol Machiavelli........................................................................................................7
Character List.............................................................................................................................9
Brief Summary.........................................................................................................................11
Conclusion................................................................................................................................17
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................18

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Writing a project is one of the most difficult academic challenges I

have ever faced. Though this project has been presented by me but
there are many people who remained in veil, who gave their support
and helped me to complete this project.

First of all I am very grateful to my subject teacher Mr Pratyush

kaushik without the kind support of whom and help the completion
of the project would have been a herculean task for me. He took out
time from his busy schedule to help me to complete this project and
suggested me from where and how to collect data.

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work reported in the BBA LL.B (Hons.) Project Report entitled
Machiavellis-The Prince submitted at Chanakya National Law University, Patna is an
authentic record of my work carried out under the supervision of Mr Pratyush Kaushik. I
have not submitted this work elsewhere for any other degree or diploma. I am fully
responsible for the contents of my Project Report.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The researcher will do this research to know about the Machiavellis-The Prince. Its analysis
and to know about machiavellis philosophy

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The researcher will emphasize and use the doctrinal method for this project topic.

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 OVERVIEW

Machiavelli composed The Prince as a practical guide for ruling (though some scholars argue
that the book was intended as a satire and essentially a guide on how not to rule). This goal is
evident from the very beginning, the dedication of the book to Lorenzo de Medici, the ruler
of Florence. The Prince is not particularly theoretical or abstract; its prose is simple and its
logic straightforward. These traits underscore Machiavellis desire to provide practical, easily
understandable advice.

The first two chapters describe the books scope. The Prince is concerned with autocratic
regimes, not with republican regimes. The first chapter defines the various types of
principalities and princes; in doing so, it constructs an outline for the rest of the book.
Chapter III comprehensively describes how to maintain composite principalitiesthat is,
principalities that are newly created or annexed from another power, so that the prince is not
familiar to the people he rules. Chapter III also introduces the books main concernspower
politics, warcraft, and popular goodwillin an encapsulated form.

Chapters IV through XIV constitute the heart of the book. Machiavelli offers practical advice
on a variety of matters, including the advantages and disadvantages that attend various routes
to power, how to acquire and hold new states, how to deal with internal insurrection, how to
make alliances, and how to maintain a strong military. Implicit in these chapters are
Machiavellis views regarding free will, human nature, and ethics, but these ideas do not
manifest themselves explicitly as topics of discussion until later.

Chapters XV to XXIII focus on the qualities of the prince himself. Broadly speaking, this
discussion is guided by Machiavellis underlying view that lofty ideals translate into bad
government. This premise is especially true with respect to personal virtue. Certain virtues
may be admired for their own sake, but for a prince to act in accordance with virtue is often
detrimental to the state. Similarly, certain vices may be frowned upon, but vicious actions are
sometimes indispensable to the good of the state. Machiavelli combines this line of reasoning
with another: the theme that obtaining the goodwill of the populace is the best way to
maintain power. Thus, the appearance of virtue may be more important than true virtue,
which may be seen as a liability1.

1 http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/prince/summary.html

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The final sections of The Prince link the book to a specific historical context: Italys disunity.
Machiavelli sets down his account and explanation of the failure of past Italian rulers and
concludes with an impassioned plea to the future rulers of the nation. Machiavelli asserts the
belief that only Lorenzo de Medici, to whom the book is dedicated, can restore Italys honor
and pride.

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 ABOUT NICCOL MACHIAVELLI

Italian diplomat Niccol Machiavelli is best known for writing The Prince, a handbook for
unscrupulous politicians that inspired the term "Machiavellian" and established its author as
the "father of modern political theory.2"

QUOTES

Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer
to be feared than loved.

Niccol Machiavelli

Synopsis

Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, Niccol Machiavelli was a diplomat for 14 years in
Italy's Florentine Republic during the Medici family's exile. When the Medici family returned
to power in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed and briefly jailed. He then wrote The Prince, a
handbook for politicians on the use of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term
"Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory." He
also wrote several poems and plays. He died on June 21, 1527, in Florence, Italy.

Early Life and Diplomatic Career

Niccol di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy, on May 3, 1469a time
when Italy was divided into four rival city-states and, thusly, was at the mercy of stronger
governments throughout the rest of Europe.

The young Niccol Machiavelli became a diplomat after the temporary fall of Florence's
ruling Medici family in 1494. He served in that position for 14 years in Italy's Florentine
Republic during the Medici family's exile, during which time he earned a reputation for
deviousness, enjoying shocking his associates by appearing more shameless than he truly
was.

After his involvement in an unsuccessful attempt to organize a Florentine militia against the
return of the Medici family to power in 1512 became known, Machiavelli was tortured, jailed
and banished from an active role in political life.

2 http://www.biography.com/people/niccol%C3%B2-machiavelli-9392446

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Authoring 'The Prince'

Though it was initially a dark period for his career, Machiavelli's time away from politics
gave him the opportunity to read Roman history and to write political treatises, most
notably The Prince. The main theme of this short work about monarchal rule and survival is
man's capacity for determining his own destiny in opposition to the power of fate, which has
been interpreted as the political philosophy that one may resort to any means in order to
establish and preserve total authority. The work has been regarded as a handbook for
politicians on the use of ruthless, self-serving cunning, and inspired the term
"Machiavellian." While many believe that the book's title character, "the prince," was based
upon the infamous Cesare Borgia, some scholars consider it a satire.

Pope Clement VIII condemned The Prince for its endorsement of rule by deceit and fear. One
excerpt from the book reads: "Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must
choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved."

In addition to The Prince, Machiavelli wrote the treatise On the Art of War (1521), among
others, and several poems and plays, including 1524's satirical The Mandrake.

Later Years and Legacy

In his later years, Niccol Machiavelli resided in a small village just outside of Florence. He
died in the city on June 21, 1527. His tomb is in the church of Santa Croce in Florence,
which, ironically, he had been banned from entering during the last years of his life. Today,
Machiavelli is regarded as the "father of modern political theory."

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 CHARACTER LIST

The Sforza family

Because The Prince is a political commentary, not a work of fiction, Machiavelli does not use
"characters" in the sense of a novel or short story. Instead, he draws his examples from the
current political and social events, as well as from ancient history. His "characters" are the
political leaders of his time. He mentions far too many individuals to be listed here, but
several make repeated appearances in The Prince, and it is helpful to keep them and their
relationships in mind.

Francesco Sforza Mercenary general who became Duke of Milan.

Ludovico Sforza Also called "Il Moro," the Moor. Son of Francesco Sforza and Duke of
Milan, he encouraged King Charles VIII of France to invade Italy.

Caterina Sforza Riario Ludovico's niece, the illegitimate daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza.
Ruler of the cities of Forli and Imola; called "The Amazon of Forli."

The Borgia family

Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) Corrupt and decadent leader of the church, who
shamelessly maneuvered his many illegitimate children into positions of power.

Cesare Borgia Alexander VI's son, Duke of Valentinois in France, and conquerer of the
Romagna region in Italy. Machiavelli's chief example of an ideal prince.

The Medici family, rulers of Florence

Lorenzo de Medici Grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent. The Prince is dedicated to him.

Pope Leo X (Giovanni de Medici) Pope at the time The Prince was written. His election
resulted in Machiavelli's release from prison.

Others

Pope Julius II Warrior pope who succeeded Alexander VI. Noted for his defense of the
temporal and spiritual power of the Catholic church.

Girolamo Savonarola Charismatic preacher and prophet who ruled Florence after the Medici
family was removed from power.

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King Ferdinand Ruler of Spain. Better known to American students as the husband of
Queen Isabella, who financed Christopher Columbus' voyages to the new world.

King Charles VIII Ruler of France who invaded Italy at the urging of Ludovico Sforza, but
was quickly driven out.

King Louis XII Charles' successor. Invader of Italy and its main foreign dominator
immediately prior to the time during which The Prince was written.

Emperor Maximilian II Ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, another European power with
designs on Italy.3

3 https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/p/the-prince/character-list

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 BRIEF SUMMARY

The Prince is a short treatise born from the political turmoil on the cusp of the
Renaissance. In the early sixteenth century, the city of Florence, Italy, fell under the
rule of the French and then the Spanish. Niccolo Machiavelli was cast from his
beloved city and imprisoned and tortured. The way the French, Spanish and Italian
notables bickered and fought for leadership caught his interest, and inspired him to
develop theories on how to wield power and control over the masses. Upon his
release from prison less than a year later, in 1513, Machiavelli wrote The Prince, for
the same essential reason that the founding fathers of the United States wrote the
Constitution. Humans do not always take logical courses of action in fact, they
rarely do. Humans are imperfect yet seek perfection, they are prone to hesitation,
to emotional decision making and to mistakes. The average European during the
15th and 16th centuries (the time of Machiavelli) would have been lucky to live to the
age of 35. This was due to limited hygiene and medical expertise, and utterly vulgar
lifestyles. Men donned themselves in metal and marched in long ranks while ballista
hurtled balls of fire at them like a game of Lets see who can knock down the most
condottieri!
Machiavellis The Prince is a guide to teach every Prince how to attain power, and
how to keep it. Machiavelli highlights his many pieces of advice with analyses of
past rulers, discussing the successes and failures of infamous men such as King
Louis XII, Duke Valentino, Alexander the Great and Moses. While the text is rife with
reoccurring themes, one of import is the belief that the right ends (particularly
sound and respected rule) can justify immoral means. Machiavelli advocates for
conspicuously dark and influential acts, such as murdering nobles who stand in a
Princes way to power, imposing strict marshal law and reforming the beliefs and
lifestyles of the populace. Another theme, close to Machiavellis heart, is the idea
that mastery and practice of warfare is necessary for great leadership. There is also

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a third recurrent theme: Machiavellis belief that it is natural and praiseworthy for a
man to seek glory and power through virtue and prudence, but blameworthy to fail
to claim it. A ruler must understand that his power hinges on the consent of his
people, and Machiavelli teaches ways to harness (and manipulate) their consent.
Many contemporaries of the day and scholars over time have criticized Machiavellis
blunt and evil suggestions.
In The Prince, the focus is on Principalities (domains ruled by a Prince and a handful
of loyalists), as opposed to Republics, which are ruled by the people or their
representatives. Principalities range from small villages to city-states and can even
resemble empires. Machiavelli identifies two kinds of Principalities. The hereditary
principality is ruled by a resilient bloodline of rulers, and it is common for the eldest
son to receive the peoples trust and support when his time comes to take the
throne. The second kind of Principality, writes Machiavelli, is defined by a Prince
who makes himself ruler. This Prince is typically a man from a foreign land and
speaking with an unfamiliar accent, and he is likely to hear dark jeers as he walks
the streets the people are hard pressed to stake their trust in him, especially if he
came to power by killing their kinsmen and loved ones. It is the latter form of
Principality which Machiavelli aims to nurture. In general, he advises either acting in
the peoples best interest and avoiding inflicting injury, or oppressing the people so
severely that there will be no chance of an uprising.
There are two types of new states that Machiavelli distinguishes: the completely
new state, in which a Prince forges new laws and customs for the Principality he has
claimed and the mixed state, in which a Principality is indoctrinated into an
existing state and takes on its laws and customs.
Machiavelli used two examples to illustrate his point:
1) The biblical prophet, Moses, took up arms to erect acompletely new state;
2) For a short while, the French King, Louis XII, ruled a mixed
state that included Italy and Lombardy. He would have retained his power,
Machiavelli implies, were it not for his five glaring mistakes:

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1) He did not send Frenchmen to establish colonies in the newly acquired Principalities.
2) He attempted to rule from afar and neglected to instill French presence, which left the
populace with little faith in him or desire for his rule.
3) He ignored or eradicated minor powers when he should have coerced them to
his side.
4) He was passive as powerful Italian rulers began opposing him.
5) He invited a second foreign power the Spanish into Italy to back his
limited rule, which only intensified the populaces state of unrest and discord.
Machiavelli goes on to discuss how a Princes rise to power can be affected by the
preexisting governing system. In the late 15th and early 16th century, France may
have had a King and Queen, but these regal figures had a trifling amount of power.
Hundreds of nobles and lords had won their share of respect from the people.
Machiavelli notes that it would be easy for the aspiring Prince to weasel up the
ranks of these minor powers, through persistence and guile, until the opportunity
arises to dispose the royal family and take the throne however, with the peoples
loyalties heavily fractured, this Prince would find his leadership in turmoil. Rival
lords with handfuls of followers could not be trusted and the Kingdom could topple
into Civil War.
Unity is a keystone of leadership, Machiavelli propounds. After exhaustive fighting,
Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire of Darius III. Unlike the French
example, Alexander found little difficulty retaining his rule. Dariuss subjects were
serfs and most were poorly educated and had bowed to him alone, and upon
Dariuss death with no heirs or lords for the people to turn to Alexander the
Great replaced him almost seamlessly.
When a Prince encounters a free state whose people have long been accustomed to
liberty, it will be highly difficult to control them. In Machiavellis opinion, a Prince
should either give them free reign or crush them into submission. Or, Machiavelli
proposes if the Prince has a great many loyal followers he should attempt to
convert the people by establishing colonies.
The ruler who ascends to power through his own means is more likely to have the
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peoples adoration than a ruler who ascends to power thanks to good fortune or the
deeds of others, Machiavelli makes clear. The people see no reason to heed the
luck-made ruler he did not prove his metal, he did not win their hearts. Unless he
can amaze his subjects before they usurp him, his only hope is the goodwill of
whoever made his rule possible which is unlikely to be forthcoming. Machiavelli
warns: He who believes that new benefits will cause great personages to forget old
injuries is deceived.
Before attempting to seize power over a province, Machiavelli recommends that a
Prince should learn who the people love and what they are willing to do for him (or
them). He should understand what they value; he should study their beliefs, their
culture, and their politics. He should have informants and friends amongst them.
The great Prince anticipates and prepares. Once he sits upon the throne, he should
make his trusted men the highest commanders and he should bestow lavish feasts
and gifts upon the people. On the other hand, if a ruler pursues the path of
wickedness, he must do the dark deed in a single fell swoop, lest he weary his
resources and tarnish his name. The Prince must be a man whom his people need,
or he must make his people need him. As a means to accomplish this, Machiavelli
advises that every Prince devote himself to the art of warfare.
In Machiavellis view, armies should serve as a political tool and the life-blood for a
Prince. They should not be comprised of foreigners, auxiliaries or mercenaries
whose true allegiance is to the largest purse or a different crown or who aspire to
overthrow the Prince. Soldiers should be drawn from the Princes own people. A
Prince should learn the lay of the land, keep himself fit and be constantly thinking of
tactics and strategies.
It is impossible for a Prince to be completely good, or completely bad and rule
well. Machiavelli warns that he cannot please everyone, for each person is different,
and there is bound to be several dissenters from any banner. To rule through sheer
tyranny would be too strenuous and would leave the Prince with but a few hopeless
followers. Machiavellis advice is to be both loved and feared, doing good deeds or

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despicable ones as the need arises it is a natural balance that will result in great
leadership. Brutal punishments or shameful humiliation can be doled out to
criminals and ruffians that will make the street-urchin hesitate before he steals a
coin. The idea of rebellion can be labeled a sin and pushed into the shadows of the
peoples minds. The Prince can use his expertise of combat to direct armies in
battle, providing protection and bringing renown4.
In Chapter XX, Machiavelli provides the following advice:
- Grant your people arms, as it will earn their trust and respect, and they will
become your soldiers.
- Surmount great obstacles as it fosters great adoration. Fill men with
animosity and win glorious victories over them.
- Cast out a hand to leaders who are distrusted, and they will be eternally
dependent on you.
- Fortify against the peoples hatred before building a fortress.
For a Prince to be esteemed, Machiavelli advises he should perform great feats be
they in battle, tournaments or by other means. A Prince should appear in public
frequently, and express charisma and great courage. When any conflict arises, he
should take up a position and fight strenuously. He should take risks, especially
when there is a chance for great reward. Princes ought not to be at the discretion
of anyone, Machiavelli warns. He must hold festivals and honor the guilds and
groups of his people. He must grant gifts to the worthy and deliver punishments to
those deserving. By encouraging commerce and craftsmanship, a Prince relaxes
fears and brings prosperity to his subjects and to himself.
The following is a list of characteristics that a Machiavellian ruler would possess:
1. Keen, thoughtful, highly active mind
2. Adroitness and physical integrity derived from participation in the military
and the hunt
3. Military expertise and constant immersion in military affairs

4 http://www.shmoop.com/prince-machiavelli/literary-devices.html

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4. A great knowledge of sociology, particularly world affairs, politics and
economics
5. Charisma and courage particularly in warfare
6. A knack for taking advantage of opportunities that yield great reward
7. Virtuosity and cruelty, in such a way that his subjects love and fear him,
thereby serving him loyally
8. Foresight, perception and constant vigilance, allowing him to efficiently seize
a province and retain long-term control
9. Independence, not falling under the discretion of anyone, relying only on his
close allies
10.A willingness to commit immoral acts for the sake of eventual glory
Under a Machiavellian ruler, a state would be safe and organized. Its military would
be more than sufficient for protection. The ruler and his closest allies would be the
backbone of politics and decision making, with little risk of corruption. The foremost
interest of this ruler is to be a successful and glorious ruler, which cannot be
accomplished without great talent and the consent of the ruled. Once he has
transitioned into power, his citizens could live in relative comfort. However, just how
comfortable their lives would be depends on the circumstances and how generous
or cruel the ruler chooses to be. If the province is poised on the brink of war, young
men will be conscripted. If the ruler resorts to fear as his marshalling force, his reign
will cast little pleasure. However, if he tries to win the hearts and minds of the
people, then life will indeed be pleasant very preferable to despicable lives plowed
by the common European. In conclusion, if given a choice between a random ruler
of any kind or a Machiavellian, it seems prudent to select a Machiavellian, who
would assure survival and prosperity, particularly during the troubled times of his
day. Three well known rulers that employed the Machiavellian ruling strategy are
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth I, and Emperor Napoleon.

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 CONCLUSION
Those who seek the favor of powerful men usually offer them precious material gifts, but
Machiavelli instead offers his precious knowledge of the conduct of great men. He aims to
present this knowledge in a plain and direct style. He observes that as a person of low social
rank, he has the best perspective on the actions of those who are high above him, just as
princes have the best perspective on the actions of the people. He hopes that his gracious
patron will pity his humble and unfortunate position.

Machiavelli addresses his book to Lorenzo de Medici, whom he calls magnificent, alluding to
Lorenzo's famous grandfather, who was known as Lorenzo the Magnificent. Machiavelli had
originally dedicated The Prince to Giuliano de Medici, one of Lorenzo the Magnificent's
sons, but Giuliano died in 1516, and consequently would have been no help in putting
Machiavelli back into political office. Machiavelli refers to his current miserable situation in
the final paragraph.

Dedications to powerful patrons were attached to almost all works of Renaissance literature.
They usually declared the author's unworthiness and praised the patron's greatness, and
Machiavelli's dedication stands squarely in this tradition. However, he was sincere in his
desire to get back into the good graces of the Medici family.

Machiavelli's plain manner of speaking can be found throughout the book. He discusses all
his subjects, even the most shocking, in a cool and matter-of-fact tone, as if analyzing a
scientific specimen.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Websites

http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/prince/
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/p/the-prince/book-summary
http://www.shmoop.com/prince-machiavelli/summary.html
www.biography.com

Books

MacHiavelli's the Prince: Text and Commentary

Machiavelli: The Prince (1988)

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