The Logic of Conquest

The Prince

This flow compares hereditary, mixed, free, and ecclesiastical states to show why different political forms demand different methods.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Kinds of Rule Kinds of Rule from "The Prince". Kinds of Rule Republics and Principalities Political communities are first divided between republics and principalities.

Kinds of Rule from "The Prince". Kinds of Rule Republics and Principalities Political communities are first divided between republics and principalities.

Kinds of Rule Republics and Principalities Political communities are first divided between republics and principalities. Further Distinctions Principalities may be hereditary, new, mixed, or ecclesiastical. The classification establishes that political advice must be adapted to the structure inherited by the ruler.

Hereditary Stability Hereditary Stability from "The Prince". Hereditary Stability Familiar Rule Hereditary rulers benefit from custom, memory, and established expectations.

Hereditary Stability from "The Prince". Hereditary Stability Familiar Rule Hereditary rulers benefit from custom, memory, and established expectations.

Hereditary Stability Familiar Rule Hereditary rulers benefit from custom, memory, and established expectations. Limited Burden An ordinary ruler can survive so long as he avoids extraordinary offenses. Continuity supplies a political reserve that new rulers must create through action.

Mixed-State Resistance Mixed-State Resistance from "The Prince". Mixed-State Resistance Disappointed Subjects New subjects expect improvement but often receive taxes, troops, and administrative burdens.

Mixed-State Resistance from "The Prince". Mixed-State Resistance Disappointed Subjects New subjects expect improvement but often receive taxes, troops, and administrative burdens.

Mixed-State Resistance Disappointed Subjects New subjects expect improvement but often receive taxes, troops, and administrative burdens. Double Hostility The conqueror alienates both those he injures and those who helped him but cannot be rewarded sufficiently. Mixed rule is therefore unstable unless language, customs, and institutions are managed carefully.

Free Cities' Memory Free Cities' Memory from "The Prince". Free Cities' Memory Liberty A free city remembers its former institutions even after long subjection.

Free Cities' Memory from "The Prince". Free Cities' Memory Liberty A free city remembers its former institutions even after long subjection.

Free Cities' Memory Liberty A free city remembers its former institutions even after long subjection. Resistance That memory becomes a banner for rebellion whenever the conqueror suffers adversity. The safest solutions are destruction, residence, or carefully controlled self-government.

Ecclesiastical Security Ecclesiastical Security from "The Prince". Ecclesiastical Security Sacred Institutions Ecclesiastical principalities draw authority from religious institutions rather than ordinary administration.

Ecclesiastical Security from "The Prince". Ecclesiastical Security Sacred Institutions Ecclesiastical principalities draw authority from religious institutions rather than ordinary administration.

Ecclesiastical Security Sacred Institutions Ecclesiastical principalities draw authority from religious institutions rather than ordinary administration. Exceptional Stability They may possess territory without defending it directly and subjects without governing them conventionally. Their apparent exception exposes the limits of purely secular political analysis.

opening classification

early discussion

after annexation

discussion of conquered republics

late classification