Machiavelli in Context | Discourses: Can Republics Last? (Lecture 19)

Lecture 19: Machiavelli again discusses Italy’s invaders, beginning with the French in 1494. From his concern for war-torn Italy, he takes up several important issues that Livy dealt with in his History of Rome.

Machiavelli condemns indecisive leaders. He also takes up a somewhat technical discussion of fortresses and their value in defense. He states that nations make mistakes when they attack enemies who are divided because such an attack will unite those who were divided. He adds that exiles are untrustworthy and often mislead those who try to help them.
In the third discourse, Machiavelli worries about how nations, especially republics, and religions can survive in a dangerous and unpredictable world.

Recommended Readings:
Machiavelli, Discourses on Livy, translated by Julia Bondanella and Peter Bondanella, Discourse II, chapter 22–Discourse III, chapter 1.