Discourses on Livy: II.32-33

II.32–33 Just how did the Romans go about getting themselves an Empire? Machiavelli was clear in the previous sections that it was neither through wicked/unwise financial…

Discourses on Livy: II.30-31

II.30–31 Money should play no role in the foreign policy or warfare of a virtuous republic, at least according to Machiavelli. As evidence, he cites the…

Discourses on Livy: II.27-29

II.27–29 Continuing his discussion of the role of words in warfare and foreign policy, Machiavelli suggests that international trash-talking reveals the existence of a defect on…

Discourses on Livy: II.24-26

II.24–26 Once again forcing me out of my area of expertise and into military theory, Machiavelli gives us a long discussion of the value of fortresses…

Discourses on Livy: II.23

II.23 Self-knowledge is absolutely essential when it comes to foreign policy. A weaker state may either fail specifically to correctly analyze its forces and chances of…

Discourses on Livy: II.20-22

II.20–22 Machiavelli refers us to the Prince for his extended thoughts on the use of mercenaries in warfare. Here, he notes that mercenary forces “are the…

Discourses on Livy: II.18-19

II.18–19 There is a book to be written—but not by me—on the relationship between civilization and military technique. Why is it that the more civilized states…

Discourses on Livy: II.17

II.17 Just how much does what we read about the ancient military apply to a modern world where warfare is defined by gunpowder and firearms? Already in Machiavelli’s…

Discourses on Livy: II.14-16

II.14–16 Without directly mentioning Christianity at all, Machiavelli makes it patently clear that an ethic based on one’s responsibility to “turn the other cheek” has absolutely…

Discourses on Livy: II.11-13

II.11–13 Continuing his discussion of military policy, Machiavelli stresses the necessity of reality over fantasy and appearance when it comes to rattling sabers: It ought to…