Machiavelli Prince and Discourses excerpts
Machiavelli’s Prince, like Thucydides’ History of the Pelopponesian War, is considered a textbook for political realism. The obvious question to ask here is whether we agree with Machiavelli’s recommendations. Is this the best way to run a state? Compare the Machiavelli you see in the Prince excerpt with the one writing the excerpts from the Discourses. Is there a contradiction?
Machiavelli Discourses
What, according to these excerpts, does Machiavelli see as the basis for a healthy state? What does he consider to be corrosive to the state? Be specific. Note that he gives examples from the ancient world and his own times.