The Discourses

Niccolo Machiavelli

Penguin, May 1, 1984 - Philosophy - 544 pages

"It is not the well-being of individuals that makes cities great, but the well-being of the community"

Few figures in intellectual history have proved as notorious and ambiguous as Niccolò Machiavelli. But while his treatise The Prince made his name synonymous with autocratic ruthlessness and cynical manipulation, The Discourses (c.1517) shows a radically different outlook on the world of politics. In this carefully argued commentary on Livy's history of republican Rome, Machiavelli proposed a system of government that would uphold civic freedom and security by instilling the virtues of active citizenship, and that would also encourage citizens to put the needs of the state above selfish, personal interests. Ambitious in scope, but also clear-eyed and pragmatic, The Discourses creates a modern theory of republic politics.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Contents

• INTRODUCTION: 15
• The Prince and The Discourses: 19
• Republics as Mixed Government: 25
• The Mixture as Adaptability: 29
• The Value of Conflict: 35
• Factors of Social Class: 39
• The Conditions for Republican Rule: 43
• Theory and Method: 47
• Politics and Morality: 62
• The Letter to Vettori: 69
• FURTHER READING: 72
• DISCOURSES OF NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI: 75
• TABLE OF CONTENTS: 77
• THE TEXT: 91
• NOTES: 529

About the author

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a Florentine statesman who was later forced out of public life. He then devoted himself to studying and writing political philosophy, history, fiction, and drama.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Discourses; Penguin classics
• Author: Niccolo Machiavelli
• Editor: Bernard Crick
• Translated by: Leslie J. Walker
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, revised
• Publisher: Penguin, 1984
• ISBN: 0140444289, 9780140444285
• Length: 544 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / Italy; Philosophy / Political; Political Science / History & Theory