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In Discourses on Livy, Niccolò Machiavelli examines the foundations of political stability through the lens of Roman history. Drawing upon the first ten books of Livy, he dissects the mechanisms that enabled Rome to establish a lasting empire: balance of powers, management of social conflict, and the pivotal role of civic virtue. Far from being a mere historical commentary, this treatise offers a bold reflection on institutional corruption, the art of war, and the conditions necessary for preserving collective freedoms.
Machiavelli argues that a healthy republic must embrace internal tensions as a driving force for progress, while warning of the dangers posed by personal ambition and poorly executed reforms. His analyses of conspiracies, religious crises, and Roman military strategies provide striking parallels with the political challenges of the Renaissance and, by extension, with those faced by contemporary democracies.
This major work, often regarded as the indispensable complement to The Prince, reveals a complex vision of the state in which republican ideals and pragmatic realism are interwoven. It appeals to both enthusiasts of ancient history and thinkers engaged in debates on power, social justice, and governmental ethics.
About the author
Niccolò Machiavelli (1469.1527), a Florentine thinker and leading figure of the Italian Renaissance, left a lasting mark on the history of political ideas through his realistic approach to power. As Secretary of the Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, he observed the diplomatic and military mechanisms of his time at close range. Exiled after the return of the Medici, he wrote his most famous works, including The Prince and Discourses on Livy, which synthesize his vision of a strong state based on the balance of forces and adaptation to circumstances.
Criticized for his apparent justification of manipulation in politics, Machiavelli remains above all a rigorous analyst of historical dynamics. His writings, steeped in the study of ancient authors and contemporary crises, have influenced diverse currents such as modern republicanism, Enlightenment philosophy, and international relations theory. Far beyond the stereotype of Machiavellianism, his legacy continues to fuel debates on freedom, governmental ethics, and the limits of collective action.
