Chapter 2 Summary

Machiavelli will deal with dominions alone since he discusses republics in another work. Specifically, he will discuss how to govern and keep the dominion.

Hereditary dominions are the easiest to keep. The people are accustomed to the family that rules them. As long as the prince can handle unforeseen events and has no vices, he will most likely keep his power. If someone takes his dominion away from him, the prince can take it back at the slightest weakness from the conqueror.

Machiavelli lists rulers who keep their rule largely because their people are in the habit of being ruled by them. People love what is familiar. As long as a prince does what has always been done, he will be regarded with affection.

Chapter 2 Analysis

Machiavelli begins by discussing the psychology of the governed. People, he says, like what is familiar. They...