Answer:
The idea stressed in the passage is:
C) the dismantling of an acquired state.
Explanation:
"The Prince" is a famous book by Machiavelli that explains his views on how to obtain and maintain power. In this particular excerpt, Machiavelli is defending the idea that dismantling an acquired state is necessary if the intention is to have power over it and keep it. He says, "The Romans, in order to hold Capua, Carthage, and Numantia, dismantled them, and did not lose them," using this fact as an example to prove his point. According to Machiavelli, when people belonging to the conquered state are used to having freedom, if you do not take that freedom away, they will use it to destroy you. Therefore, in order to stay in power, dismantling the conquered state is crucial.
