Chapter 9 Summary

We now turn to the fourth way one gains power. A private citizen may become a ruler through the aid of his fellow citizens. The ruling structure can be called a civil principality. The citizen doesn't have to be particularly talented or fortunate to acquire power in this way, only cunning. There are two groups that can put the ruler into power, either the commoners or the nobles. The commoners do not wish to be commanded or oppressed by the nobles. The nobles wish to command and oppress. This tension leads to one of three states; principality, republic, or anarchy.

A principality comes about when either the nobles or the commoners have the opportunity. A man who is appointed as prince by the nobles will have a difficult time staying in power. This is because the nobles will believe that they are his...