Wellbeing Of The People In Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince

In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli writes a detailed guide for a ruler, or a prince, to follow to ensure stable and controlled civilian population. Throughout his writing, Machiavelli emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the interests of the rulers. Although he does not say it outright, the audience can see that Machiavelli believes that the wellbeing of the people is important. The wellbeing of the people in the principality is important to a prince so that he can effectively and efficiently rule. Machiavelli believes that it is important for a prince maintain a respectful relationship with his people. If the people are abused or otherwise mistreated, the prince will not have a strong following and the people will not obey his orders. Machiavelli states, “Therefore, one who becomes prince through the support of the people should keep them friendly to him, which should be easy for him because they ask of him only that they not be oppressed” (40). Through interpretation of this statement, without

Machiavelli further discusses the importance of arming citizens to ensure the safety of not only the prince, but the people as well. Machiavelli states, “For when they are armed, those arms become yours; those whom you suspected become faithful, and those who were faithful remain so...if those whom you arm are benefited, one can act with more security toward the other” (83). Here, Machiavelli specifically indicates that he cares for the wellbeing of the people by providing arms to some so that they can take care of the others. This secures the principality from being destroyed from both inside and outside opposition. In further support of the concept of reciprocity, Machiavelli also states that, “But when you disarm them, you begin to offend them; you show that you distrust them either for cowardice or for lack of faith, both of which opinions generate hatred against you” (83,