Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.

Politics 2A Course Essay
Given that much of his work has been a major influence to
contemporary political thought and therefore the systems that
govern us today, it is important to understand Machiavellis true
ideological inclinations. This essay intends to examine whether the
political models set out in The Discourses on the first ten books of
Livy are an accurate representation of a Machiavellian ideal, or if a
separate agenda renders it inadequate to express his true view of
politics. By approaching the book itself and other Machiavellian
works, the historical context they were written in and other relevant
factors, this essay will ultimately conclude that The Discourses do in
fact represent his true view of politics.
To sustain an argument supporting this statement, one
fundamental truth must be accepted; Machiavelli expresses views in
The Discourses that are equal to his overarching political tenets.
Given that The Discourses is written in relatively simple Italian, noncomplex prose and straightforward logic, the text and its political
message is clear; a book setting out the pre-requisites for a
successful republic. The difficulty, therefore, lies with uncovering
what Machiavellis true political beliefs were and assessing their
compatibility with what one finds in the text. The principle difficulty
and the very existence of this question concerns the apparent
discrepancies with his other main text, The Prince.
Harvey Mansfield comments on the nature of the apparent
inconsistencies between the literatures; The relation between the
two books is notoriously obscure (1979: p.17), portraying a long
running question that has captured those studying renaissance
political thought. The Prince is concerned with autocratic and
monarchical forms of government, a practical guide for princes on
how to rule. The Discourses, however, is written to extol the virtues
of a republic;howtoinitiateandpreservethem. Perhaps the most iconic
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Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.
Politics 2A Course Essay
quote of the book is evidence to this, with Machiavelli stating, The
masses are more constant and more knowing than is a prince
(2000: 58). Nevertheless, Felix Gilbert claims that despite the
inconsistencies between the books there are dominant political
ideals that Machiavellis true beliefs embody; These
inconsistencies appear only in his subsidiary argumentations; unity
is provided by his general vision of politics (1974: p.32). This
general vision can be found in themes that run through his main
literature, themes that he would surely subscribe to. This essay will
examine three concepts that Machiavelli addresses in both texts and
uncover his apparent true view on each of the aspects of political
science.
Firstly, Virt and Fortuna are given constant reference in the
literature. Virt is for Machiavelli the ability to do whatever is
necessary and to be highly flexible in the pursuit of glory. Fortuna,
personified as the female goddess of fate, is a concept surrounding
luck, but one were the goddess herself is liable to seduction.
Machiavelli sees Virt as a necessary characteristic in order to deal
with Fortuna or the destructive unpredictability of life. This is
expressed through his quote in The Prince For Fortune is a woman
and the man who wants to hold her down must beat and bully her
(2003: Ch.25). But it is not just a single ruler that can possess and
use Virt in the tackling of Fortuna, Machiavelli believes a
democratic group can govern a republic whilst adhering to virtuous
values; According to Machiavelli, Virt could be possessed by a
collective body as well as by individuals (1974: p.167) This shows
that, regardless of the book and therefore the political arena that is
being depicted, Machiavelli unequivocally believes in a power
structure that respects, even controls Fortuna and uses the strength
of Virt. He sees political systems and civil communities as a means
to an end, a way of pooling resources in the pursuit of wealth and
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Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.
Politics 2A Course Essay
riches, and successful implementation of Virt as a pre-requisite to
that. This is a view that The Discourses represents particularly well
as Machiavelli comments on the Wonderful examples in history of
The prodigies of virtue and of wisdom displayed by the kings,
captains, citizens, and legislators who have sacrificed themselves
for their country (2000: p.84)
Citizenship and the rule of law is another theme Machiavelli gives
particular attention to. It is, ultimately, the fundamental concept
that separates The Prince form The Discourses and the two different
forms of ruling they set out. Both books, however, outline the
necessity for a strong Prince in the development of a community.
Dictatorial Authority did good, not harm, to the Republic of Rome:
it is the authority which citizens arrogate to themselves, not that
granted by free suffrage, that is harmful to civic life (1517: 34). His
true view of politics will always accommodate the necessity for a
prince, even in a republic, given his ability to organize the polity in
such a way as to promote the virtue of its citizens, and prevent its
corruption, both salient pre-requisites to the ultimate goal of wealth.
Furthermore, in his mention of the Roman Empire here and in
numerous other places throughout his literature, he reveals another
of his core views that The Discourses confirms; appreciation of what
he believed was a glorious paragon to draw examples from.
Machiavelli describes civil circumstances that are fit for
republicanism and others that are fit for monarchical rule, possibly
displaying an inherent contradiction. However, what this actually
displays is the Extraordinarily high value he attaches to political
stability (2000: p.44). This shows that Machiavelli stressed highly
the necessity for a political system that guaranteed stability.
Chapter LVIII of The Discourses is itself a dedication to the
importance of political stability and how collective government can
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Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.
Politics 2A Course Essay
provide this, portraying another theme concurrent with his true
political views.
Thirdly, Machiavelli tackles conflict and the associated concepts of
diplomacy and inter-state relations in a frank manner, where he
again draws on his affection for the Roman Empire and its virtuous
approach to a section of politics that fundamentally concerns
preservation or expansion of the state that is already in place. This
is one area of his work where perhaps his true views are particularly
evident as he bluntly challenges widely subscribed opinions and
Felix Gilbert encapsulates this realistic approach by Machiavelli,
summarising The Princes Corroding analysis that a prince ought to
be liberal, magnanimous, loyal and beloved. This reluctance to
adhere to common belief is continued in The Discourses, again
epitomised by Gilbert; One reads in the discourses his attack
against the accepted views about military affairs (1974: p.123).
Here he is portraying Machiavellis belief was that artillery was not
as decisive as many believed; (Artillery) is perfectly inefficient,
especially against courageous troops (2000: 17) and he concludes
his thoughts with a statement that captures Machiavellis boldness;
One finds always the proposition of a view directly the reverse of
common opinion (1974: p.123). Supplementary evidence to
suggest these Machiavellian beliefs are concurrent with what one
finds in The Discourses can be found in the book itself; Machiavelli
enjoyed Defending a cause which had been rejected by all previous
writers(2000: 24). Furthermore, he accepts the necessity for
conflict, even when adhering to virtuous ideals; It is not possible
for a republic to succeed in peacefully enjoying its liberty within a
small territory (2000: 39). That is to say, he believes states must
use attack as a form of defence, or face the risk of being attacked
themselves. A critique to this judgement of Machiavellian belief
might draw on the quote Prudent Princes and republics should be
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Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.
Politics 2A Course Essay
content with victory (2000: 27), perhaps stressing a less-militaristic
view. However, Machiavelli is conveying the necessity for conflict to
a certain extent, merely rejecting an aggressive, pro-conflict stance.
The final issue that must be addressed in evaluating the
relevance of The Discourses to Machiavellis true views of politics is
the historical context in which it was written. The very fact that
Machiavelli ends The Prince by claiming that Lorenzo de Medici, the
Florentine leader at the time of writing, is the only man who can
quell the tumult in Italy is supportive of the claims made by JeanJacques Rousseau; Being attached to the court of the Medici, he
could not help veiling his love of liberty in the midst of his countrys
oppression (1998: Bk.III). Rousseau believed that Machiavelli
concealed his true political beliefs in The Prince, promoting the
political system of the time and currying favour with the ruling class.
Much of the text would support this argument, with Machiavelli
openly confessing (or perhaps eluding to confess) an affection for
the Medici; And if your Magnificence will turn your eyes from the
summit of your greatness(2003: Ch.1) Given that he was initially
exiled for plotting against the Medici, it is perfectly feasible that he
might have written The Prince with such a motivation, effectively
validating the content of The Discourses as representative of his
true views. There is further contextual evidence that points to The
Discourses being an honest account of opinions; in setting out a
potential constitution for Florence, he proposes, Instead of
containing power and office holding within a small and well-defined
ruling class, this innovative scheme would have opened up popular
participation and involvement under a strong military leadership
(2008: p.226). By presenting a constitution that favoured a republic,
Machiavelli showed his desire to live in a Florence that was
governed by ideals adhering to the values he presents in The
Discourses.
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Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.
Politics 2A Course Essay
Based on the evidence presented, it can be concluded that despite
discrepancies between his two main works, his core beliefs about
politics are apparent when examining the major themes of The
Discourses and to an extent, The Prince, especially given the
surroundings at the time of writing. He embraces Virt and Fortuna
whilst glorifying the Roman Empire by using it as a benchmark for
the pursuit of common good yet Machiavelli perhaps viewed politics
itself as subordinate to ethics; Princes or republics merely as a
means to instigate, promote and facilitate a principled culture. Part
of Thoughts of a Statesman includes Machiavellis letter to his son
that is a set of ideals, advice for him to adopt in life; And (the
prince) wins (the peoples) affection by affability, humanity, and
benevolence (1882: Ch.13), portraying the place of ethics as
paramount, above that of politics.

Bibliography
Crick, B (2000) Introduction to the Discourses in Machiavellis The
Discourses on the first ten books of Livy 1st Edition, Prentice Hall.
Gilbert, F (1974) Machiavelli and Guicciardini New Edition, Princeton
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Examine the view that it is The Discourses that best represents

Machiavellis true view of Politics.
Politics 2A Course Essay
University
Press.
Hornqvist, M (2008) Machiavelli and Empire 1st Edition, Cambridge
University Press.
Machiavelli, N (2003) The Prince 1st Edition, Longman.
Machiavelli, N (2000) The Discourses on the first ten books of Livy
1st Edition, Prentice Hall.
Mansfield, H & Tarcov, N (1996) Introduction in Machiavellis The
Discourses on the first ten books of Livy Chicago University Press.
McCormick, J.P (1993) Addressing the political exception:
Machiavellis Accidents and the mixed regime in The American
Political Science Review 87 pg.888-900.
Rousseau, J.J (1998) The Social Contract New Edition, Wordsworth
Editions.
N.B. References from Machiavellis The Discourses on the first ten
books of Livy in the essay refer either to a page number relevant to
a particular edition or the chapter number.

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