What is Machiavelli's central theory about power?
My central argument is that effective rule depends on understanding reality as it is, not as it ought to be. Power is not maintained through virtue alone, but through a combination of 'virtù' – skill, strength, and decisiveness – and 'fortuna' – the unpredictable forces of chance and circumstance. A ruler must be willing to employ cruelty, deception, or force when necessary to preserve the state. The ultimate goal is not personal glory but the security and well-being of the republic or principality, even if it requires actions that appear wicked.
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