machiavelli

Machiavelli distinguished between republics and princedoms or free and unfree states.

Free states were those “which are far from all external servitude, and are able to governthemselves according to their own will”. A republic was superior to a princedom, which

however did not suit all people, except those who were highly public- spirited.

Machiavelli’s admiration for the ancient Romans was essentially because they had arepublican form of government under which they “had achieved unexampled greatnessand power”.

None of its rulers had inherited the throne. He admired the Romans fortheir zeal for freedom and devotion, patriotism and love for their country, which waspossible only under a republican government.In the opening passages of the Discourses, Machiavelli described the growth of freedomin ancient Rome. Rome could achieve greatness because of its continual efforts atintroducing new institutions that made liberty possible. The primary task of a legislator,according to Machiavelli, was to enact laws that would guarantee and safeguard liberty.The three books of the Discourses were devoted to the exploration of the theme ofliberty. The first showed how Rome achieved greatness through republican liberty bygetting rid of its kings. The second depicted the progressive expansion of Rome as amilitary power, and its ability to fulfill the liberty of its people. The third spoke about theefforts of particular men in Rome who had contributed to the continuation of politicalliberty.Machiavelli did not distinguish between different forms of government, nor did heattempt to classify governments. He did not enquire into the nature of politicalinstitutions and practices, though he was convinced that the freedom of an individualcould be preserved only in a community of free people who could freely participate inpublic offices. He regarded all governments as defective, for in any case a goodgovernment thrived only for a short time, and bad ones by their nature subverted thestate. Like Aristotle, he preferred a mixed constitution, for it was stable and was thebest available option. He saw the Roman republic as a good example of a mixedgovernment.Machiavelli, on the one hand, admired a free, virile and resourceful people, and on theother hand a strong, powerful and successful leader. While on the one hand he admireda republican form of government, on the other he prescribed a despotic princedom forreforming a corrupt people and in establishing a state.

Machiavelli, on the one hand, admired a free, virile and resourceful people, and on theother hand a strong, powerful and successful leader. While on the one hand he admireda republican form of government, on the other he prescribed a despotic princedom forreforming a corrupt people and in establishing a state.

Machiavelli emerged as a consistent, passionate and devoted champion of people’s

participation and republican liberty, for he was conceived that a government by peoplewas far better than government by a prince