He focuses primarily on what he calls the `` new prince '' , under the assumption that a hereditary prince has an easier task since the people are accustomed to him . All a hereditary prince needs to do is carefully maintain the institutions that the people are used to ; a new prince has a much more difficult task since he must stabilize his newfound power and build a structure that will endure . To retain power , the hereditary prince must carefully maintain the socio-political institutions to which the people are accustomed ; whereas a new prince has the more difficult task in ruling , since he must first stabilize his new-found power in order to build an enduring political structure .