Read this paragraph from chapter 5 of The Prince. Whenever those states which have been acquired as stated have been accustomed
to live under their own laws and in freedom, there are three courses for those who wish to hold them: the first is to ruin them, the next is to reside there in person, the third is to permit them to live under their own laws, drawing a tribute, and establishing within it an oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you. Because such a government, being created by the prince, knows that it cannot stand without his friendship and interest, and does its utmost to support him; and therefore he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it more easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way. What is the most important idea the author wants readers to know?
The most important idea the author want readers to know is the way to govern cities based on the three principles he reports. Through these three principles He states the advantages and disadvantages of living in freedom which also involves a kind of oligarchy when individuals have to pay taxes or tributes to keep that kind of freedom.
