“The Prince” by Niccolò Machiavelli articulates a compelling thesis regarding the strategies employed by rulers to assert their authority and autonomy. In Chapter Six of "The Prince," titled "Of New Principalities Acquired by One’s Own Troops and Virtue," Machiavelli asserts the importance of individual ability in securing personal dominion, advocating for a proactive and assertive approach led by the prince's capabilities, with no influence or assistance from outside sources. Chapter Seven titled “Of New Principalities Acquired With The Arms of Others And by Fortune,” explores the idea of new rulers seeking assistance from external sources to establish their authority, and how dependence on such forces can ultimately result in the decline of their power. Both chapters offer insightful analysis of state formation, and by juxtaposing the two, we can assess contemporary states and predict the potential outcomes of present-day scenarios.

Chapter Six commences with Machiavelli's assertion that "men almost always follow the paths trodden by others, and proceed in their affairs by imitation." This pivotal statement serves as the groundwork for examining the formation of the state. If individuals are consistently emulating others' paths, when does a private citizen devise their strategy and endeavour to replace the old prince of their realm? Machiavelli addresses this thought within the chapter, asserting that a new prince emerges through either fortune or virtue, often utilizing both in tandem. He exemplifies this using the story of Moses, whom he contends acted solely under the belief in divine guidance. Despite this, Machiavelli asserts that Moses's actions were still deemed significant enough to be regarded as princely conduct. Moses demonstrated remarkable leadership abilities in liberating the Israelites from Egypt, relied on the fortuitous circumstances of their enslavement and his divine connection to God to garner widespread support to depose the Egyptian slavers.

The importance of the influence of Moses is the example that Moses provides to all of those who come after him. Rulers who promise themselves after these examples will always enhance their reputation as great leaders, even if some actions result in a negative outcome. This ensures that a ruler will always be viewed positively, ultimately resulting in the maintenance of power held over the prince's states, even if the prince manages to falter in his future decisions.

Machiavelli further suggests that new princes, possessing the virtue necessary for maintaining their realm, employ fortune merely to open new avenues for themselves, rather than depending solely on it. Moses utilized his divine connection to lead his people out of slavery, much like Theseus showcased his abilities through the opportunities arising from the dispersion of the Athenians. Machiavelli argues that it is the inherent ability and prowess of these individuals to rally their people, which ultimately determines their capacity to establish a strong and enduring realm. By utilizing fortune judiciously to seize favourable circumstances, while simultaneously relying on their leadership qualities and strategic vision, new princes can effectively navigate the complexities of governance and ensure not only the longevity of their reign but the security of their realm as a whole. Chapter Seven explores the power struggle between private citizens, fortune, and the use of external support to unite a state. Those who utilize their fortune to ascend to the status of prince, often find little to no bumps in their path; Once one reaches their status, only then will they begin to see all of their problems before them. The issues relating primarily to building one up by their fortune can be attributed to a lack of ability on behalf of the prince. Many princes who aspire for their position, will not undergo the hardships that other private citizens otherwise would, and as such, will be unable to address those problems when they arise in their state.

Machiavelli's pivotal example of this is Cesare Borgia, alternatively recognized as the Duke of Valentino. Cesare Borgia is a man who founded his entire state on the principle of fortune. His father, Pope Alexander VI, had handed him a position to aid King Louis of France with his assault in Milan. This was the first gesture of grand fortune that surrounded Borgia. The next grand gesture was that of his abilities. He negotiated with the noblemen of the Orsini and Colonna factions, taking in their abilities and their formidable might to further fuel his aspirations to conquer and rival the likes of the King. When the Orsini had discovered that Borgia, backed by the church, was planning on assaulting their realm, they had eventually called a meeting. The outcomes of this meeting resulted in the rebellion of his soldiers and an insurrection attempt in Romagna.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Borgia defied the odds with the help of an accomplice. He quelled rebellions with the French and resolved conflicts with neighbouring states through alliances with the Papacy and the Church. Despite the adversities, Borgia succeeded in establishing his dominion through cunning maneuvers, eliminating rivals through assassination and consolidating power comparable only to the French. Seeking additional allies to fortify his position against potential French aggression and even entertain the idea of war, Borgia's ambitions were hindered by the death of his father, Pope Alexander, leading to the gradual unravelling of his realm. Despite his efforts to strategize and adapt, illness eventually weakened Borgia and his realm, leading to its decline. Machiavelli believes that Borgia's actions were largely calculated and effective, albeit with limitations. He admits that relying on another state's troops can lead down a rocky path. The struggles of Borgia's initial rise to power as a new prince are further evident in the recommendation made in Chapter Six that a ruler should not solely rely on fortune for the foundation of their state. As Borgia leveraged his skills and eliminated his rivals through assassination and strategic maneuvers, he realized his ambitions. Yet, these ambitions, bolstered by his father's fortune, led to his downfall.

Machiavelli also utilizes Borgia as an illustration of a principle emphasizing that princes who build their realms on the military forces of others are destined to fail, as they depend on the goodwill of another ruler's court. Machiavelli's primary criticism of Borgia was his failure to influence or secure the election of a suitable Pope effectively. Machiavelli speculated that had Borgia remained in good health and managed to install a capable successor to his father, his state might have endured. However, even if Borgia had hypothetically succeeded, he would still have relied on the military might or resources of the Church, leaving him vulnerable to the same risks of leadership changes undermining his authority and ultimately leading to the decline of his state.

Despite these insights, the main difference between these chapters lies within their primary focus and arguments regarding effective governance strategies. Chapter Six focuses on new princes relying on their capabilities rather than on luck or assistance from others. This is illustrated by the tales of Moses and Theseus, who combined their abilities to seize opportunities and establish realms that endured the test of time. Machiavelli emphasized the necessary approach needed by a prince to appropriately assert authority and navigate the complexities of governance successfully through the use of one's ability. Alternatively, Chapter Seven examines the downfall of rulers like Cesare Borgia, who relied heavily on external support and fortune to ascend to power. While Borgia initially achieved success through his connections with the Church and his assistance with the French, his dependence on these external forces ultimately led to his state's downfall due to their increasing dependence on these resources. However, it is worth noting that Machiavelli proposed the idea that if Borgia hadn’t fallen ill, his son could have effectively governed the state and potentially resisted the French following any potential rivalry with their state. Machiavelli asserted that with the groundwork laid by Borgia, encompassing both his ferocity and virtue, his dominion could have achieved stability. While Borgia was indisposed in Rome, Machiavelli claimed to have conversed with him. Borgia confided in Machiavelli that the unforeseen circumstance was his mortality coinciding with his father’s passing, which would eventually lead to the complete capitulation of his realm.

Each subsequent chapter delves into the unique juxtaposition between the individual ability and fortune of a prince, however, both maintained a focus on the strategies and challenges that multiple princes had endured to maintain their realm. In addition, both chapters theorize that the center of the state will always be The Prince, as The Prince is always the determining factor to the state's well-being. The Prince must possess the capacity to preserve their dominion, even if it relies on fortune. This preservation can involve strategic maneuvers, exemplified by Borgia's actions such as eliminating rebellious figures, albeit necessitating active rebellions or hardships.

Niccolò Machiavelli's “The Prince” presents a relatively nuanced exploration of the strategies and challenges faced by princes in asserting their authority over their dominion. Chapters Six and Seven emphasize the importance of individual ability, virtue, and the prudent use of fortune in maintaining power. Chapter Six heavily emphasizes the proactive approaches of new princes relying on their capabilities, especially when their realm may come under attack and how it may be smoother for them to handle the situation. On the contrary, Chapter Seven explores the risks of dependence on external support and the potential pitfalls of leveraging fortune to attain authority for a prince. Both chapters also underscore The Prince's central role in the state’s well-being, emphasizing the need for effective leadership and strategic maneuvering. Machiavelli's examination of princely foundations in these two chapters remains relevant in modern contexts, offering insights applicable to contemporary states emerging from interstate or internal conflicts. As a guiding principle, his work can provide valuable direction for present-day leaders as they navigate the complexities of the modern political landscape


Bibliography
Niccolò Machiavelli, “The Prince,” translation by Peter Bondanella, 20-30. Oxford: Oxford World Classics, 2008.