Sociology | Mercantile Law | International Law | International Relations

Political Science → Machiavelli: The Discourses

Second major work of Machiavelli is the Discourses. He hasn’t changed the tone in it.

He still believes that man by nature is selfish and evil. Man will act properly only under compulsion. This selfishness does stop a powerful ruler from establishing unity. He recommends reform here as corrupt populace can’t rest for long.

Machiavelli’s Republic is different. It is not where people have role and rights. It is one in which people support the ruler in return for security and freedom from oppression.

To Machiavelli, cause of disunity in a Republic is idle nobility which feeds upon the work of others. A powerful king can control them. Another cause is religion but not that one which supports the state ideals.

He also criticized contemporary Church and Christianity for they lost truth. According to him, Church prevented unity in Italy. Religion makes people humble thus incompetent for war. Machiavelli discussed a great deal of military matters in the Discourses.