On Matters Pertaining to the Maintenance and Dissolution of the State

Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy provides an overview of the Roman Republic and its strengths and weaknesses. This essay discusses some of Machiavelli’s most prominent critiques and focuses on some of the Roman Republic’s preeminent structures and offices. Finally, it advises those who have a sense of greater duty towards their society to study history, philosophy and the long-term applications of their own fundamental beliefs.