POL200Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Louis Xii Of France, Balkans
His opportunity to rule comes from this change
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Thus this problem exists in hereditary princes --> people seeking to
replace
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Instability arises - men change in belief they will fare better, but realize maybe
have done worse
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Seems different exist only in mixed
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Hereditary prince is in constant danger of losing allegiance
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Contradiction of Chapter 2 assurances
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Owe friends more than we owe anyone else
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Likely outcome of friendship is for them to become dissatisfied -->
throw you out, punish only then AFTER you regain power (remain
a good friend)
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Reward your friends, but not so much they become too powerful
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Better to be betrayed than betrayer?
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Treason is predictable --> you should really act before
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Machiavelli says people only become friends to achieve common goal, it
would b contradictory to NOT betray - why is friendship taking priority
over the goal for which the friendship was formed??
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Vindicates reputation as corrupted
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Doesn't actually say this, it is implied
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Friendship will always be subject to your good
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Friendship
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King Louis XII invaded Italy, lost Milan twice
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Ancient Romans won and retained
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Suggests superiority of ancients over moderns
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Would act ahead, easily remedy - pre-emptive
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Prudence of Romans in time of war
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12: Romans had foresight of 'evils'
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Contempt for his own time
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Machiavelli: ostrich sticking head in sand
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Need to pay attention --> prepare for war
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Renaissance: enjoy life as it is, deal with problems later, soft-power,
peace
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Louis is example : making others more powerful, trusting them to
support him, reward would come from somewhere in return for goodness
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Romans 'best things are scarce, can't be shared, must be seized and
held' --> trust only themselves
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Louis exhibits Christian morals - trusting men, etc.
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Wanted to secure alliance with Brittany through marriage
Louis wanted George to become Cardinal --> power over
Europe through influence of Church
Power of Church as institution --> Louis couldn't get a divorce
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Christian morality
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All powers are mixed due to the power of the church
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Louis doesn't understand politics
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Relation to ancient - winners / losers
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Chapter 3: Mixed Principalities
No references to contemporary Italy - no relevance?
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All power in central authority (Ottoman)
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Dispersed to individual occupants of land (Italy)
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Machiavelli: all states of which memory exists are of these 2 kinds
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Centralized are hard to conquer, easy to keep
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Decentralized are easier to conquer - individual players to negotiate with,
harder to keep
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Led by Church / Pope (he acts similar to King)
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Is Italian centralized or decentralized? --> seems decentralized
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Chapter 4
Lecture 2.2: Machiavelli,
The Prince,
chapters 3-5
January 12, 2017
2:00 PM
LECTURE Page 39
Document Summary
Instability arises - men change in belief they will fare better, but realize maybe have done worse. His opportunity to rule comes from this change. Thus this problem exists in hereditary princes --> people seeking to replace. Hereditary prince is in constant danger of losing allegiance. Owe friends more than we owe anyone else. Reward your friends, but not so much they become too powerful. Likely outcome of friendship is for them to become dissatisfied --> throw you out, punish only then after you regain power (remain a good friend) Treason is predictable --> you should really act before. Friendship will always be subject to your good. King louis xii invaded italy, lost milan twice. Renaissance: enjoy life as it is, deal with problems later, soft-power, peace. Need to pay attention --> prepare for war. Louis is example : making others more powerful, trusting them to support him, reward would come from somewhere in return for goodness.
