For a Machiavellian ruler is compromise an option?

Question

For a Machiavellian ruler is compromise an option?

Answer 1

Only if it were a way to maintain power. What would appear to be compromise would really be for a self-serving purpose.  

Answer 2

The ideal ruler, according to Machiavelli, is one that is both loved and feared by his (or her) subjects.  This is done by using vicious means to achieve virtuous ends.  For example, in order to bring a disobedient city under his control, Cesare Borgia appointed a magistrate to use "any means necessary" to control the people.  This magistrate was extremely brutal, sentencing the people to death for even the smallest infractions of the law.  The people learned to fear and hate the magistrate, but they began to obey the law.  Then Cesare Borgia showed up, denied any association with the magistrate's actions, and punished the magistrate by disemboweling him in the public square.  The people loved Cesare Borgia for killing the magistrate, but feared Cesare Borgia for the same reason, and they continued to obey the law.

However, being vicious and being uncompromising are not the same thing.  Sometimes, compromise can be very useful to a ruler, and Machiavelli encourages rulers to use it when necessary.  For example, when Commodus (the son of Marcus Aurelius) was assassinated, Pertinax was voted by the Senators of Rome to be the new emperor.  However, the Roman army wanted one of the generals to be the new ruler, so they killed Pertinax.  Niger was the most popular general, Albinus had the largest army, but Severus was also popular and strong. So, Severus offered Albinus a governorship and claim to succession in return for allegiance against Niger.  The plan worked: Niger was defeated and Severus became the new emperor of Rome.  Without offering the compromise to Albinus, Severus would not have succeeded.

So, yes: compromise is an option for Machiavellian rulers, and often a very desirable one.

Answer 3

Only to the extent that it solidifies and strengthens his power.