but to add taxes and an oligarchy to maintain these laws and taxes. Although the first two options have a seemingly negative connotation, Machiavelli says that the third option is the most preferable and advantageous. It is advantageous because the newly imposed oligarchy will work hard to secure the authority of the prince. This is mainly due to the fact that they owe their existence and status to the prince. As long as your goal is not to devastate the state, it is the easiest to rule through use of its own people. This shows that M
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