About the author
Florentine statesman, diplomat, and writer (1469–1527), the founder of modern political realism. Where The Prince advises rulers, the Discourses on Livy is Machiavelli's republican work: a commentary on the early history of Rome arguing that liberty is best preserved by a mixed constitution, civic virtue, popular participation, and even the productive conflict between classes. It is a foundational text of the civic-republican tradition.
Synopsis
A major work on republican government, civic virtue, institutions, conflict, liberty, and political founding.
Core passage idea
Paraphrase · Public domainPassage idea: Machiavelli argues that conflict between social orders can help preserve republican liberty.
This challenges the idea that political conflict is always bad. In republican thought, conflict can prevent domination.
To avoid a bubble
Pair with Hobbes for a more order-centered view of political authority.
Reading note
Harder than The Prince, but more important if you want Machiavelli as a republican thinker, not just a realist.
Best paired with
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan.