This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."
(a) For Nobles to cultivate rivalries between partisans among the People.
(b) For the Nobles to promote corrupted Citizens in elections.
(c) Cause them to distribute wealth.
(d) Involve them in a brave enterprise.

2. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) Agrarian laws allowed land owners to use their land to help the poor become wealthy.
(b) Agrarian laws distributed land from those who had more than the law allowed among plebes rather than among Nobles with which they could enrich themselves.
(c) Agrarian laws allowed Nobles to take land from Plebes with the intent to increase the land's productivity.
(d) Agrarian laws allowed the government to decide what was to be grown on land in spite of the expertise of the land owner.

3. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's view of freedom based upon reading view of weak and strong Princes?
(a) That Machiavelli considered civil rights and individual liberties indispensable to the strength of a city.
(b) That Machiavelli is focused on keeping cities free from outside influences rather than individual freedom.
(c) That Machiavelli considers freedom only suited to those who can earn it or buy it.
(d) That Machiavelli uses the term freedom in reference to the actions of Princes only.

4. Why does Machiavelli recommend that those who want to reform a city should retain the appearance of the institutions they want to reform?
(a) Because keeping the appearance of those institutions helps to hide the true agenda of the Prince.
(b) Because keeping the appearance of those institutions helps to keep important advisers within the circle of government.
(c) Because keeping the appearance of those institutions assures a smooth transition of power.
(d) Because the general masses are satisfied with appearances and are moved by things as they appear rather than by the way they operate (perception is reality).

5. What did Machiavelli establish as the cycle of governing forms?
(a) Aristocracy to republic to oligarchy to monarchy to aristocracy.
(b) Monarchy (principality) to aristocracy to oligarchy to democracy to monarchy.
(c) Anarchy to democracy to oligarchy to monarchy to anarchy.
(d) Democracy to republic go aristocracy to oligarchy to anarchy to democracy.