Question

What are the apparent contradictions in Machiavelli's recommendations about a prince's being liberal?

Answer 1

Machiavelli believes that the princes can use and should use violence in order to survive or to achieve their aims as rulers, especially when there is a problem in the country ot connected with the country. In such situations the princes should keep the people in fear, so no one would want to attack them or take their power. Otherwise, by providing housing and women, he should keep the peace in the country, In this sense is contradictory how he advises the princes to be more liberal.