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Running head: MACHIAVELLI’S DISCOURSES

Machiavelli’s Discourses
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MACHIAVELLI’S DISCOURSES

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Machiavelli’s Discourses

Machiavelli's The Discourses on Livy presents an elaborate discussion of crucial
political, philosophical, and historical issues revolving around the exercise of power and
leadership in societies. In the book, Machiavelli fearlessly tears into the indiscretions of leaders
and people in making critical decisions that have overreaching effects. Machiavelli’s discourses
provide a rich insight into the structure and functioning of a state. This essay delves into the
significance of Chapter LVIII, which bears the title that the multitude is wiser and more constant
than a prince. Earlier on in the greetings, Machiavelli laments the irony of the people in
leadership lacking in skills and of ordinary folk having more princely qualities than princes
themselves. The thesis statement of this essay asserts that although the masses and its leaders are
susceptible to corruption and that a well-defined law provides the much-needed equalizer against
the madness of men and their leaders.
Machiavelli on the Dispositions of Princes and the People
The bulk of Machiavelli’s Discourses allude towards the function of the state as being the
preservation of individual liberty. Freedom is the glue that binds a nation together, but when
misused, it could be the Pandora's box that unleashes a reign of madness and heralds the collapse
of a country. In the first paragraph, Machiavelli discusses the shortsightedness of a group
mentality and is amused at just how much immediate emotions swing the decision-making of
people in large groups like a pendulum (Machiavelli, 1883). He adduces the example of a Roman
multitude who condemned Manlius Capitolinus to death only to yearn for him zealously soon
after. Livius asserts that groups possess one of two characteristics; they either conduct
themselves with humility or operate with sheer arrogance and impunity.

MACHIAVELLI’S DISCOURSES

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In this regard, Machiavelli agrees wit...