Niccolò Machiavelli described various types of principalities. What are they? Identify the strongest and the weakest.

Types of Principalities:

· Hereditary: The hereditary principality passes down power through the ruling family. It is not difficult to maintain as long as the hereditary prince continues to rule as before.

• New: New principalities are created through military or civil acquisition.

• Mixed: Mixed principalities (new territories added to an existing one) are of two kinds. If the new territory shares the same language and customs as the old one, the prince must extinguish the former ruling line and rule as before. If the new territory does not share the language and customs, the prince should either reside in it or set up colonies consisting of his own citizens or soldiers. Whether he chooses to reside in it or set up colonies, he must protect weaker neighbors, weaken powerful ones, and not let powerful forces enter his territories.

A principality that is won by a prince by his own arms is most secure (strongest).