Niccolo Machiavelli's Discourses On Livy

Tumult is inherent in the conception of a free and thriving republic. In Niccolò Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy, this is a central claim as to how republics can remain successful. Machiavelli uses the Discourses as an opportunity to celebrate free states, and illustrate how these states came to being. He uses examples from the past as a key guide to determining the future for those in charge of establishing a republic. Specifically, Machiavelli likens the prowess of Rome to how a proper republic should be run, while also recognizing that corruption led to its ultimate demise. Machiavelli uses the Romans—as well as other ancient societies—as data points for modern political structures to emulate when appropriate, and also avoid when needed. Furthermore, Machiavelli’s central claim of how violence and tumult is necessary in a functioning free republic can be seen in how Machiavelli defines the six types of natural regimes. Three of which are “inherently good”, and three of which are “inherently bad” (558). The …show more content…
This is something that not even Lycurgus could achieve through his constitution; rather, it was through tumult that the perfect republic and mixed regime was formed. Moreover, Machiavelli argues that tumult and conflict within the mixed regime framework is merely energy of the people channeled to establish a more powerful republic. He argues that as “power is added to power”, the tumult that arises between all three branches of the regime clash to compete for more of it. Thus, while Machiavelli recognizes the critiques of how tumult within these branches may on the surface seem detrimental to a republic, it is actually how a striving republic can remain dominant for generations to come. As the people fight to obtain more power for their respective branches, they are in turn strengthening the republic as a