Final answer:
Machiavelli's primary argument in 'The Prince' is that a ruler's success is measured by their ability to maintain power and ensure the stability of the state, sometimes by any means necessary, including deceit and cruelty.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of Niccolò Machiavelli's main arguments in 'The Prince' is that the effectiveness of a ruler should not be judged by their morals or ethics, but by their ability to maintain power and stability within their state. Machiavelli asserts that at times, it is necessary for a prince to engage in deceit, manipulation, and even cruelty to ensure the state's survival and success. He believed the end justified the means, as long as the ruler's actions provided security and order to the state. Machiavelli's main argument in The Prince was that a ruler should prioritize maintaining power and stability over moral principles. He believed that rulers should be willing to use deceit, force, and even cruelty if it helped them maintain control and protect their state. Machiavelli argued that rulers should focus on practicality rather than idealism, and that the end justifies the means when it comes to governing.