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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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).

2. What is Machiavelli's explanation for initiating his recommended approach with enemies against an empire?
(a) Because putting the leaders of enemies in positions of public responsibility will require them to make decisions that will be rejected by conspiracies.
(b) Because the public humiliation of the enemy will expose supporters to the Citizens who will then act to neutralize the conspiracy.
(c) Because those who try to crush it, make its force greater, and make that evil which is suspected from it to be accelerated.
(d) Because taking out the head of a movement will lead to the death of the body.

3. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?
(a) To the state of political instability in which was common to Machiavelli's day.
(b) To his ideal state that combined the most successful institutions from those civilizations.
(c) To great works of antique art that have been found and preserved.
(d) To his projections of the future in which Machiavelli speculated on how power would be preserved.

4. How did Machiavelli report that the Nobles controlled the process of Plebes having the opportunity to choose Plebes for four Tribunes?
(a) They controlled the means of Plebes to provide for themselves.
(b) They were in charge of counting the votes.
(c) They began a war and had many Plebes sent to a foreign province.
(d) They offered choices between highly reputable Nobles and ignoble Plebes who asked to be considered for the positions.

5. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?
(a) Rebellious citizens who defy ruling authorities.
(b) Princes who are preoccupied with seeking pleasure rather than power.
(c) An insufficiency of or inability to enforce laws that deal effectively with corruption.
(d) Princes who are not cruel enough with punishment.

6. What is another method that Machiavelli reports leaders use to offend their citizens?
(a) Refusing to provide sufficient education for the youth.
(b) Persisting in harsh punishments for misdemeanors.
(c) Persisting in acts that are considered offensive to citizens.
(d) Refusing to provide wealth to the general masses.

7. What are the two important items that Machiavelli considers to be unwise for a Prince to put entirely into peril?
(a) His city and his chief advisers.
(b) His reputation and family.
(c) His fortune and his reputation.
(d) His fortune and forces.

8. Considering Machiavelli's praise for the example of how Nobles manipulated the opportunity for Plebes to select their peers for positions of influence, who is the clear intended audience of "The Discourses"?
(a) Plebes who need to know the tactics of Nobles to control them.
(b) Nobles seeking methods to keep their power.
(c) Those who are concerned with how the Republic is being manipulated by people with power.
(d) Future candidates for election who need to know how to win.

9. How does Machiavelli predict a citizen will conduct himself if he is not punished for his misdeeds because of his reputation for doing good deeds, according to Machiavelli.
(a) He will become the most effective aide to the Prince and help expand his power over the citizens.
(b) He will find ways to subvert the Prince and take his power.
(c) He will, in short time, become so insolent as to put an end to all civil law.
(d) He will eventually become overwhelmed by his conscience and slip away into obscurity.

10. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?
(a) Only if the citizens ignore the weak Prince and organize themselves to retain virtue.
(b) Only if administrators conspire to act with the virtue of the excellent Prince.
(c) Only if a Prince with the virtue of the excellent Prince follows the weak Prince.
(d) Only if the city does not fall into war with a more virtuous city.

11. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?
(a) Wars that keep the citizenry focused on supporting the City.
(b) Proper administration of rewards and punishments.
(c) The ability to control the perceptions of citizens.
(d) Fear of harsh administrators.

12. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?
(a) In times of peace not neglecting the arrangements of war.
(b) Knowing that the enemy of his enemy is his friend.
(c) Keeping friends close and enemies closer.
(d) Picking battles that are important enough to fight and small enough to win.

13. If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be?
(a) "Go where you belong--on the ash heap of history."
(b) "History is written by the winners."
(c) ."The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history."
(d) "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

14. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?
(a) Increase taxes on the wealthy and use the money in ways that benefit the general masses.
(b) Distract the Citizens by making war against a nearby province.
(c) Increase their power and penalties for crimes and scare the Citizens into submission and acceptance.
(d) Make the offense quickly then act to reassure them and give them cause to quiet and firm their spirits.

15. What was an example from Roman history that Machiavelli used to suggest the Plebes possesses greater wisdom than Nobles?
(a) The Magistrates decision to delay battle against the Samnites.
(b) A time when the Plebes could have chosen all Plebes for four Tribunes, chose, instead, four Nobles because they recognized the weaknesses of Plebes filling those offices.
(c) The failed attempt of the Nobles to put Plebes of ill-repute to selection for Tribunes.
(d) The willingness of the Plebes to go to war for the glory of Rome.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli establish as the cycle of governing forms?

2. What are the three ways a Republic can expand that Machiavelli recognized?

3. What does Machiavelli believe will come of agreements made by force?

4. According to Machiavelli, what is the first thing that Citizens seek when starting on the path of chasing their ambitions?

5. What were the reasons that Machiavelli cited for the Roman Senate choosing to pay a public stipend to fighting men (soldiers)?

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