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1
The
Various Kinds of Government
and
the Ways by Which They Are
Established
All
states and dominions which hold or have held sway over mankind are either
republics or monarchies. Monarchies are either hereditary in which the
rulers have been for many years of the same family, or else they are of
recent foundation. The newly founded ones are either entirely new, as was
Milan to Francesco Sforza, or else they are, as it were, new members
grafted on to the hereditary possessions of the prince that annexes them,
as is the kingdom of Naples to the King of Spain. The dominions thus
acquired have either been previously accustomed to the rule of another
prince, or else have been free states, and they are annexed either by
force of arms of the prince himself, or of others, or else fall to him by
good fortune or special ability.
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